Danegeld; or, why we need net neutrality

[unixronin]

As reported here, on Marketwatch, and again here, on Techland, Comcast is extorting Netflix and Level 3 Communications to allow Comcast customers access to Netflix content.

"Nice business you have here.  It'd be a shame if anything were to, you know, happen to it."

This needs to be crushed like a bug, and soon.  Level3 made a strategic error in paying the fee at all in the first place.  "Once you have paid the Danegeld, you'll never be rid of the Dane."

Comments

[ithildae]

I have been following that. It is interesting that Comcast will soon be the owner of Hulu and Hulu plus, both of which compete with Netflix, at the same price point. Nothing like being able to add some cost to a competitor to increase the bottom line...

[unixronin]

Oh, really. I wasn't aware of that detail. So that would make this directly anticompetitive behavior, then...

I foresee this ending badly for Comcast.

[ithildae]

Comcast is buying NBC. NBC owns Hulu. Short term thinking. I don't think Comcast will enjoy the results either.