Comcast/Time Warner Merger Hearings

[Funafuti]

The congressional hearings regarding the proposed merger of Comacast and Time Warner are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, and I was wondering what people thought of the chances of the merger getting approved? I was dubious at first, but now I'm wondering if it might go through after all. There was a pretty good analysis of the issues involved in the New York Times today: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/07/business/media/questions-for-comcast-as-it-looks-to-grow.html?_r=0

Interesting that, although this would give one company control over 19 of the country's top 20 markets, it wouldn't actually eliminate competition in any of those markets (Comcast and Time Warner do not share any territory). As the article points out, Comcast's ownership of NBC could be what pushes this proposed mega-company dangerously close to monopoly status. We shall see.

 

[MrPogi]

Each company is already a monopoly. But Comcast will offer cushy jobs to FCC commissioners and the whole deal will be approved.
FCC commissioner Meredith Baker to join Comcast-NBC - Post Tech - The Washington Post

And then there's this: Former FCC commissioner calls Comcast-TWC merger a terrible idea | The Verge

What concerns me is not their cable TV business, but the fact that both are pretty much the only choice for internet in the areas they serve.

 

[Funafuti]

What concerns me is not their cable TV business, but the fact that both are pretty much the only choice for internet in the areas they serve.

I think this issue could ultimately be where things get hung up. Especially with the trend being towards broadband and away from cable TV. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/08/business/in-scrutiny-of-cable-merger-internet-choice-will-be-crucial-battlefield.html?src=me&_r=0

 

[Funafuti]

Apparently some on the Senate panel were skeptical of the merger, with Al Frankin being the only one who came right out and said it should be blocked. In reading the New York Times' account of the hearing, it seems questioning touched on many different aspects of the cable and internet industry. Then, the final paragraph...

Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, expressed a more parochial concern, namely that his DirecTV satellite television service does not work well when the weather is bad.

Thanks for that, Senator.

Full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/10/b...on=Footer&module=MoreInSection&pgtype=article

 

[MrPogi]

Ahh, our illustrious senator from South Carolina. Always looking out for the common man!
Never mind that his comment has nothing to do with the subject before the panel.

Forgive him for not being the sharpest tool in the shed. He is from S Carolina, after all...
Thank You, South Carolina! - The Daily Show - Video Clip | Comedy Central

 

[Funafuti]

Wow, that was quite a greatest-hits collection of interesting characters from South Carolina. I have a couple of friends there, and Charleston seemed like a nice place when I visited, but.... yeah, it comes across badly in many ways.