NBC, Vivendi merger hits possible snag

0 Comments | USA TODAY, December, 2003 | by Jayne O'Donnell

WASHINGTON -- NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment's seemingly problem-free merger has hit a snag because internal NBC documents have antitrust enforcers worried about the effect the deal could have on consumers, people familiar with the deal say.

The European Commission approved the $14 billion deal last week, but the Federal Trade Commission here issued a second request for information from the companies earlier this month. The move followed the FTC's receipt of documents showing some at NBC think the merged company could raise fees cable operators pay for its programming, the people familiar with the deal say.

FTC officials would not comment. An NBC spokeswoman said, "We are proceeding through the normal regulatory review process and anticipate the deal should...