Last week, when Comcast announced that it was taking majority ownership of NBC Universal (purchasing 51 percent of storied TV network for around $14 billion), many wondered if the foundations of “free TV” were starting to crumble.  If nothing else, it is a clear indication that the shift in how people get their news and entertainment has changed forever.

Here are some things on the plus-side:  More TV choices, more often…even on your mobile device; the ability to watch TV whenever and wherever; faster access to movies: movies from Universal Pictures will arrive on cable sooner; more programs on phones and online.

And while Comcast claims the move is “pro-consumer,” there will surely be some down-side: Higher cable bills for one thing.  It may also mean that we see Comcast withhold channels from competitors (therefore consumers) like Dish Network or DirecTV.  Don’t be surprised if someday soon we will all pay an on-demand fee for premium material (read: Super Bowl and the Olympics to name a few).

We’ve seen these “content” and “distribution” mergers before:  Time Warner and AOL tied the knot 1986, Disney and ABC did so in 1995.  Ironically, just as Philadelphia-based Comcast and NBC announce their engagement, Time Warner and AOL just announced plans for divorce.

Regulatory approval is still needed to close the deal but provided it happens, the TV landscape will continue to reshape itself.  Will it ultimately be for better or worse?   As they used to say back in the day: Stay tuned

<em>- Jim Miller, Public Relations</em>