Now the networks have much greater ownership stakes in the programs that they broadcast. There are very few major entities left to merge. What is likely to happen over the next six months is a spate of acquisitions and mergers in the Broadcast field like Paxon and other TV broadcasters. There aren't many companies left to be acquired that are of a sufficient size to make a difference. Of course alot will depend on how the economy performs.
Prices can only go up if the economy remains strong.
In the absence of these mergers companies with alot of content run the risk of being blocked by their competitors in certain markets. The mergers assure companies of access to their audiences and that gives them a feeling security and is one of the reasons why these companies merge. It's too early to say. With the three major music networks, MTV, VH1 and CMT, they have major distribution capability and influence on the industry but they don't have a record company. In the Internet space it's really too early to make a judgment, but both companies have made important investments in the Internet.