Comcast Roundup: Critics says Comcast-NBC deal could cost consumers $2.4B, Olbermann fallout and More

Every Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. EST, find all the stories you need to know about your friendly telecommunications giant in the Comcast Roundup. Get ane-mail subscription for our Comcast news updates.

DEFINITE READS

• Competitors say Comcast, NBC merger could cost consumers $2B — The extra $2.4 billion in consumer costs would come from “unrestrained pricing power,” an opposing trade group reports.
• Comcast Faces Government Questions on Online Video in NBC Universal Deal [Bloomberg] Comcast’s role in influencing the future of online video and how its paid for has been an ongoing and central question around regulation of its majority take of NBCU. H/T PTN
• Who Will Head MSNBC if Comcast Takes Over? [Huffington Post] Progressives concerned about the role Comcast ownership would have on left-friendly MSNBC network. Comcast representatives have pledged to not interfere with editorial content upon ownership.

Below, a Senator says MSNBC host Keith Olbermann was suspended because of his criticism of Comcast-NBC deal, Hulu CEO projects $240M in 2010 and more.

MIGHT BE OF INTEREST

• Senator cites Olbermann suspension in opposition to NBCU-Comcast deal [Politico: On Media] — Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders ties Keith Olbermann’s MSNBC suspension to his opposition to the Comcast-NBC merger, a claim that a Comcast spokesman has denied.
• Cord-cutting continues: Cable loses subscribers again in 3rd quarter [Post Tech: Washington Post] — Industry analysts still trying to decide if loss in subscribers from cable companies has more to do with the economy or trends toward using other web-based video services.
• Your Call Is Important to Us [Comcast blog] —  Nothing new about another write-up in which a Comcast employees talks about changes to its customer service experience in recent years, but take a look at the negative comments that, to the company’s credit, not only remain public but have been responded to.
• Hulu CEO: We’ll make $240M in 2010 [MediaBeat] Comcast will own a large stake by way of NBC Universal if the merger goes throughout with relevant provisions.
• Meet The New Chief Blogger [Comcast blog] J T. Ramsay introduces himself as Comcast’s new chief blogger, as we reported last month.
• CBS’ Nancy Tellem In Talks For Big NBC Job [Deadline Hollywood] — In talks with Comcast “bigwigs”

GIVE A GLANCE

• Comcast, don’t touch that dial [Aspen Daily News Onine] – The Colorado community is concerned that Comcast is planning to change the numbered channel of its public broadcasting network.
• Comcast trials ‘StateWise’ calling plan in Ill. [CED] — Comcast is trialing a phone service in Illinois that would make all calls in the state local.;
• Comcast to offer wireless data service [Burlington Free Press] — Xfinity is coming to Vermont
• Comcast ‘RNG’ Set-Tops Have IPTV Potential [Light Reading Cable] — The “introduction of a new breed of digital set-top boxes”

When there is just too much Comcast news to follow, the Comcast Roundup will be there every Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. EST