The CEO of Glenn Beck’s network TheBlaze says Comcast’s proposed acquisition of Time Warner Cable is not in the interest of start-up networks.
“As monopolies in the markets that they serve, cable companies often ignore their subscribers’ wishes,” Chris Balfe says in a statement, adding that major video programming distributors don’t have a good track record of “supporting independent programmers” like TheBlaze.
“We are skeptical that giving Comcast even more market power will benefit consumers, promote competition or lead to more diversity of voices or consumer choice on their channel line ups.”
TheBlaze is currently carried by DISH, Cablevision, Buckeye CableSystem, RCN, and 46 other operators across the country. They ran a social media campaign last summer to grow their provider base. Time Warner Cable and Comcast are not yet carriers.