Not So Fast, Comcast!

DHD is reporting that the FCC is looking more closely into the Comcast takeover of NBCU. A bump for Comcast/GE/NBCU. Link:

http://www.deadline.com/2010/04/finally-big-media-oversight-fcc-stops-clock-on-comcastgenbcu-deal-review/#more-32777

FINALLY, BIG MEDIA OVERSIGHT! FCC Stops Clock On Comcast/GE/NBCU Review
By Nikki Finke Friday April 16, 2010 @ 3:31pm PDT

Forget that May 3rd deadline for comments. The Federal Communications Commission is stopping its 6-month clock to have more time to review the Comcast/GE/NBCU deal. Specifically, the FCC is demanding that Comcast file two economic reports which the FCC's staff says it needs. The FCC filing says one report is on the "claimed benefits of the transaction", while the other addresses "the potential impacts of the transaction on online video distribution."

The FCC also said it is extending the May 3rd deadline for comments on the deal because of the lack of more info. Now all parties pro and con will have more time to state their positions. "The commission has a strong interest in ensuring a full and complete record, and we believe this action will ensure that all parties will have sufficient time to review and comment on the applications, including these supplemental materials, and will ultimately contribute to the efficient and expeditious review of the proposed transaction," the FCC stated.

This delay could possibly wreck Comcast's and GE's hoped-for timetable of getting the federal regulatory review done by end of 2010. But I say, Hurrah! Because, finally, the FCC is now under Democratic control and demonstrating it is intent on truly scrutinizing these Big Media mergers and acquisitions after a decade of Republican leadership which never met a Big Media conglomeration deal it didn't like.

Immediately, Comcast issued this groveling (and meaningless) statement: "We look forward to working with the Commission to submit the additional information they’ve requested. We know they want to conduct a thorough and expeditious review of this transaction and we’ll be submitting these reports as soon as possible. We understand and agree in this case with the Commission’s desire to have a full comment period on key documents submitted by the applicants.”

Of Disney, Miramax and Weinsteins...

Here's the latest from the LA Times about the Weinsteins trying to buy back control of Miramax from Disney. Disney balked at the idea at first, but then realized that the Weinstein's money is as good as anyone else's. (Now, if only Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne can figure a way to wrestle New Line back from Time Warner. Yeah, right.)

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/04/exclusive-negotiations-between-the-walt-disney-co-and-bob-and-harvey-weinstein-who-are-backed-by-the-supermarket-magnate-ro.html

Miramax talks expected to extend through the weekend [Updated]
April 16, 2010 | 4:50 pm

Exclusive negotiations between the Walt Disney Co. and Bob and Harvey Weinstein, who are backed by supermarket magnate Ron Burkle, over the potential acquisition of Miramax Films are expected to stretch through the weekend, people with knowledge of the discussions said.

Meanwhile, competing bidders Alec and Tom Gores are awaiting the outcome and keeping their bid on the table for the moment, according to a person familiar with the situation. A third bid, from an offshore corporation being advised by beleaguered financier David Bergstein, also remains in the wings.

Disney hopes to wrap up a deal with the Weinsteins by next week, said a person close to the situation. Although the Weinsteins, who founded Miramax in 1979 and sold it to Disney in 1993, remain highly motivated to win back the specialty label, the negotiations still could break down.

Even though there's pressure to sweeten the deal, a person close to Burkle says the investor won't overpay for the asset. Burkle, who brings the money to the contemplated purchase through his investment firm, the Yucaipa Companies, doesn't have the same emotional attachment to Miramax as do the Weinstein brothers, said one person who knows him. To Burkle, it's an investment that is expected to generate a good return, and not, as it is for the Weinsteins, a bid to reclaim the company.

The Burkle-led bid, which was $600 million for the 600-film library, however, is expected to rise to $625 million with the addition of Miramax's remaining unreleased films, which include the animated "Gnomeo and Juliet" and "The Switch," a romantic comedy starring Jennifer Aniston about a 40-year-old woman who uses a turkey baster to become pregnant.

Updated 6 p.m.: A person familiar with the deal said some, but not all, of the unreleased films will be included in the sale.

Under the arrangement being discussed, Miramax's new owners would pay the marketing and distribution costs of releasing the movies and stand to reap most of the box-office revenue -- after paying Disney a 10% distribution fee.

-- Dawn C. Chmielewski and Claudia Eller

Conan Goes to TBS!

Sure, it's reported everywhere that Conan O'Brien is going to TBS. But DHD has the best info. As for me, I'm quite surprised that FOX didn't get this done. I guess old Ruppert just doesn't appreciate liberal humor. It's a big coup for Time Warner. Here is the link to DHD:

http://www.deadline.com/2010/04/conan-obrien-makes-tbs-deal/

Rainbow Media To Use RSG's Rights-Management System

Here is an article near and dear to my heart from Multichannel News. It talks about Rainbow Media's deal to use RSG's Rights Management software. Contract accounting takes a big leap forward.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/451251-Rainbow_To_Use_RSG_s_Rights_Management_System.php

Rainbow To Use RSG's Rights-Management System
By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, April 9, 2010

Cablevision Systems' Rainbow Media Holdings has signed a multiyear deal to use RSG Media Systems' RightsLogic Program Planning & Scheduling and RightsLogic Acquisitions Finance software applications.

Financial terms weren't disclosed. Under the agreement, RSG is deploying the software for Rainbow Media to search its asset library, create programming grids and scenarios across multiple platforms, and validate rights availability for content it plans to broadcast.

RSG also is implementing its RightsLogic Acquisitions Finance software to help the programmer manage content-licensing deals. That application will allow Rainbow to monitor licensing deals as they are signed or amended, as well as create and adjust amortization and payment schedules, budget forecasting and track backend participation obligations.

"RSG's new RightsLogic apps will eliminate the need for time consuming manual updates and tracking of broadcaster's licensing deals and programming schedules," RSG Media CEO Mukesh Sehgal said in a statement. "With the implementation of these applications, we look forward to supporting Rainbow Media as they as they continue to grow their licensing business."

New York-based RSG Media's other customers include Discovery Communications and Viacom's MTV Networks.

Sapan: Network Fees Should Be Pegged To Exclusivity

http://www.multichannel.com/article/450939-Sapan_Network_Fees_Should_Be_Pegged_To_Exclusivity.php

From Multichannel News:

Sapan: Network Fees Should Be Pegged To Exclusivity
'Video Value Index' Would Penalize Programmers Making Content Free On The Web
by MCN Staff -- Multichannel News, April 1, 2010

Network license fees should be based partly on how much content a programmer keeps exclusive to multichannel video providers, Rainbow Media Holdings CEO Joshua Sapan contends in an opinion piece in the current Multichannel News.

John Sapan of Rainbow MediaSapan, whose programming company (with networks AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel and WE TV) is owned by a big multichannel video provider (Cablevision Systems), proposes a "Video Value Index." A subscriber fee would be adjusted up or down based on how much over-the-top content a network offers, he writes in the piece.

AMC, he notes, does not offer full episodes of popular series Mad Men and Breaking Bad free on the Internet.