The two largest Cable Company’s looking to merge making the single largest Cable, Internet, Phone and Media Content Owner.
While there is a very large laundry list of reasons not allowing the merger, It would be hard to find one reason this would benefit the public at large.
After all it was the Higher Rates that they charged over a decade long merger and accusation that made Comcast one of the largest media content owners and deliverers. How could anyone not assume that this trend would not continue.
We are at a breaking point in merger activity. If this is allowed it would be very hard to reverse after it does not go well for the consumer.
What is needed here is for Comcast and Time Warner to be competing for MY Internet and Media Dollar. I have no alternative for internet and this deal would surely seal the deal that I never will have a choice in my lifetime.
You may/should take this argument to your congressman !
Since the internet is the only competition for the Media portion of that mix AND the recent rejection of any form of “net neutrality” allows the cables company to keep that monopoly on media content no matter what by being able to place a hold on internet speed and charging those who want to go fast enough to watch media via internet more money or suffer from poor quality video and charge those who want to supply it even more for that speed.
Let me say it another way for those that do not understand.
They own the media content (movie production and movies/shows from the past)
They own the way that media is delivered. (cable tv)
They own the delivery system that the only realistic alternative can be presented. (internet)
What part of this is in your best interest ?
Why merger now ?
If you want to keep growing, they are at the point they need to directly compete with each other in there respective markets (only the most profitable) and they don’t want that. It would reduce profits considerably which is why they never intrude on each others turf to compete.
If you own a would be competitior, you will not have any competition. Think of how much money it would take to create a new competitor for such a mammoth. I’m not sure Google or Apple could pull it off.
Comcast feels they have the advantage after their latest merger with NBC Universal AND Net Neutrality being a no-go, they must have some pretty powerful lobbyist in Washington. A bunch of money spread around provided by the high rates the consumer has had to pay over the years for unwanted services part of packages you are forced to take. Subsidizing channels not one wants for profits.
After all, we broke-up AT&T for such a lessor monopoly and remember they were regulated and cable co’s are not ! Least not forget that cable co’s also provide unregulated phone service.
What is in this for you, the consumer ! Just name one thing ! The guarantee of no choice most likely for the rest of your life ?
Think about what kind of news you might not hear if they control that much media. There are plenty of profits for going soft on reporting. As if we have not seen enough of that in the past 15 years. Both cable co’s have control in many news organizations now.
I would go so far as to say that they need to break-up these company’s and split the internet and media portions of their holdings. Most especially if Net Neutrality is not written in stone.
If they had not stopped the AT&T -T-Mobile Merger, Do you think you would now have competitive practices in the cell phone market ?