Former Adelphia Communications CEO John Rigas
Photo: AFP
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Comcast and Time Warner (TWX) made a bid on absorbing the customers of bankrupt Adelphia Communications quite a while ago. The FCC may bring a vote on the matter next week according to Todd Shields writing for mediaweek.com.
The FCC released its agenda for the coming July 13 monthly meeting and the merger was part of the business to be discussed. The fact that it is even on the agenda shows that FCC Chairman Kevin Martin feels he can get the three votes to pass the bid.
Results of the merger for Comcast would give it an opening into markets like Washington, D.C., West Palm Beach, Fla., and Pittsburgh, while Time Warner would benefit from getting large markets like Los Angeles and Cleveland.
There has been some concern about the deal that the cable companies could abuse their increased market share. This has been especially in the area of sports broadcasts where Martin has suggested there be binding arbitration for some of the disputes over regional sports programming.
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