Comcast took the next step in its $45 billion acquisition of Time Warner Cable this morning by filing a joint Applications and Public Interest Statement with the FCC. In a blog post about the filing, Comcast EVP David Cohen argues the deal is good for consumers, especially current TWC customers. Those opposed to the deal, understandably, don’t think so. 50 groups sent this letter to the Attorney General and FCC Chairman today asking that the deal be blocked. Comcast goes before the Senate Judiciary Committee tomorrow. Here’s some coverage of today’s filing:
- Wall Street Journal: Regulators are likely to zero in on how the deal would affect broadband access, which is increasingly the preferred pipe for delivering video, voice and data to consumers’ homes.
- CNET: Cohen said he understands why critics are skeptical of allowing two major broadband and video providers to merge. But he said the concerns are overblown
- USA Today: Federal regulators, including the FCC and the Department of Justice, will review the proposal and are expected to issue a ruling by the end of the year.
- New York Post: Comcast has cast itself as the underdog in a fight with much larger media and tech titans.
- Capital New York: Comcast argued that once the transaction concluded it would control only 20 percent of the U.S. broadband market, a very different number from the 40 percent cited by public-interest groups that oppose the deal.
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