CBS has been notable in the last few years for their almost complete lack of streaming content deals. But today Netflix and CBS have announced that they have entered into a two-year deal that will bring a large swath of CBS content to Netflix Instant Streaming. Hulu users will still be left out in the cold by CBS however.

All Things D is reporting today that the Hulu deal that resulted in the return of The Daily Show among other programs cost more than you might expect. Those close to the deal say Hulu is paying at least $40 million to Viacom. The payment could go up depending on the performance of the content. 

The length of the deal has not been disclosed to the general public, but Viacom has said the arrangement will go into 2012. We suspect a 2 year deal. The Daily Show and Colbert Report will be available the day after they air, but some other Viacom properties will only be on Hulu 21 days after their premiere. 

Hulu likely expects to increase ad revenue with these popular shows, and they're going to have to considering the price they paid. Are you more likely to watch Hulu with these shows once again available?

Video streaming and disc rental service Netflix has come out swinging with an analysis of various ISPs' ability to reliably stream Netflix video, Cnet reports. When all the numbers were in, smallish ISP Charter Communication was the winner, barely edging out Comcast, Time Warner, and Cox. Internet providers like AT&T and Verizon were in the middle of the back, and wireless ISP Clearwire was dead last. 

This report seems aimed at making ISPs nervous. Netflix has a product that many people love, and the idea that their ISP isn't giving them the best Netflix experience could sway consumers. It only makes sense with the wrangling over bandwidth access fees. Some ISPs have made it known they don't like having to pay to pass all the Netflix data to their customers. Netflix seems to be saying Don't mess with us. We're watching.

The data was acquired by averaging the sustained download rates of each ISP across their entire footprint for a three month period. The newer DOCSIS 3 cable internet connections likely helped cable companies like Comcast and Time Warner to boost their scores here. Companies that rely mainly on DSL didn't really have a chance. How well does your ISP handle that Netflix stream?

The news just broke shortly ago that the Comcast-NBC deal has been approved by government regulators. The FCC approved the sale of NBC Universal to Comcast by a 4-1 vote. Commissioner Michael Copps was the lone holdout. In a statement he said the deal "opens the door to the cable-ization of the open Internet." We had been expecting the FCC to ok the deal, but the Justice Department was always more of an unknown.

Almost immediately after the FCC vote, the Justice Department also approved the deal, according to a Comcast press release. Now that both agencies have given their stamp of approval, the acquisition is expected to go through by the end of January. This will make Comcast a first of its kind media powerhouse. 

Early indications are that at least some of the FCC's conditions will be in place for the deal to proceed. Comcast will be required to allow online video distributors (read: Netflix) access to their content. Additionally, Comcast will be allowed to retain its stake in Hulu, but will have to relinquish its decision making role. How do you feel about the deal?