FCC Reportedly Blocking Comcast’s Bid To Take Over Time Warner Cable

In a move that the Wall Street Journal(1) says could be a “deal-killer,” the FCC is reportedly leaning towards blocking Comcast’s bid to take over Time Warner Cable.

In legal terms, the agency could be ready to recommend that the merger be subject to a lengthy hearing process. To many this signals the FCC’s intention to reject this terrible deal. The process itself could make the companies walk away from the merger before any hearing begins.

Last week Bloomberg News(2) reported that the Justice Department also has serious doubts about the proposed mega-merger. And members of Congress are pushing regulators to reject it too, with six senators calling for denial of the deal.

These are all very positive signs - and a strong indication that Washington is listening to the nearly 1 million people who have spoken out against this mega-merger. People power is making the difference.

But the battle isn’t over yet.

Comcast won’t go down without a fight. According to the Guardian(3), Comcast has spent nearly $5 million on lobbying this year. We expect they’ll pull out all the stops to get what they want, and we need to continue to pressure Washington to reject this deal.

Stay tuned - we’ll be in touch as more news unfolds.

References
1. “FCC Staff Recommends Hearing on Comcast-Time Warner Cable Merger,” Wall Street Journal, April 22, 2015

2. “U.S. Antitrust Lawyers Said Leaning Against Comcast Deal,” Bloomberg News, April 17, 2015

3. “Google and Comcast Lobbying Spending Soars in First Quarter of 2015,” Guardian, April 21, 2015

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