News: Time Warner Cable-Comcast Merger Dead.

LuLuDrops

Quote:

Comcast Corp. announced today that it's ending its merger agreement with Time Warner Cable – after the Justice Department raised concerns over a deal.

"Today, we move on," Comcast Chairman and CEO Brian L. Roberts said in a statement. "Of course, we would have liked to bring our great products to new cities, but we structured this deal so that if the government didn't agree, we could walk away."

The Justice Department in a statement said it had raised "significant concerns" with the two companies over the approximately $45.2 billion, noting that a "merger would make Comcast an unavoidable gatekeeper for Internet-based services that rely on a broadband connection to reach consumers."

Attorney General Eric Holder called today's news "the best outcome for American consumers." He said it was victory for "providers of content and streaming services."

As recently as this week, company officials hoped a merger would go through despite opposition from Justice Department staff members. But as NPR's Yuki Noguchi reported on Morning Edition, "The Federal Communications Commission told the companies this week that it had problems with the deal.

"What it was planning to do, was refer the case to a hearing, which would've resulted in a protracted legal process," she said. "In the industry, such referrals of cases to a judge are treated as a death knell...and it's not unusual for the parties to withdraw their merger."

As The Associated Press reports, "Combining the No. 1 and No. 2 U.S. cable companies would have put nearly 30 percent of TV and about 55 percent of broadband subscribers under one roof, along with NBCUniversal. That appeared to be too much concentration for regulators."

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/...m_term=nprnews

Imagine having such a monopoly on the industry

Cas

Even though I'm not from the USA, thank GOD!

LuLuDrops

Quote:

Originally posted by Cas

Even though I'm not from the USA, thank GOD!

In my valley our only choice is Time Warner, just imagine the fact they could've owned 50% of USA's subscriptions going to their head and being even worse

"Oh, you don't like our service? Who else are you going to go to, hmmm?"

Frankmusik

Praise be to ARTPOP. Companies trying to do the most.

LuLuDrops

Quote:

Originally posted by Frankmusik

Praise be to ARTPOP. Companies trying to do the most.

She underperformed for our sins

Altruistic chanteuse

Frankmusik

But honestly I feel like the relationship between consumers and ISPs is just in such a bad spot right now. A lot of places you don't really have a choice so you just have to deal with it and that can suck. Hopefully at some point in the near future there is some miraculous solution that gives consumers more freedom of choice. I can't really fathom some easy way to do it though. I just want faster internet at a cheaper price tbh.

EDIT: Are there any large companies in the US that charge for the data you use, or gives you high speed data at a good price but limits the amount per month? Seems fairly common around some parts of Europe so I was just wondering.

Igrt

I remember posting the original thread about the merger.Glad they're not merging but it still doesn't erase the fact that neither are what I would call 'highly rated'.TWC STINKS.Can't wait until Google Fiber builds out.

Chucko

Quote:

Originally posted by LuLuDrops

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/...m_term=nprnews

As The Associated Press reports, "Combining the No. 1 and No. 2 U.S. cable companies would have put nearly 30 percent of TV and about 55 percent of broadband subscribers under one roof, along with NBCUniversal. That appeared to be too much concentration for regulators."

Imagine having such a monopoly on the industry

30 percent of TV and about 55 percent of broadband subscribers is not exactly a monopoly.

Frankmusik

Not really a monopoly but it is such a large amount and depending on where you live it might be a monopoly to you.

Espresso

Quote:

Originally posted by Frankmusik

Are there any large companies in the US that charge for the data you use, or gives you high speed data at a good price but limits the amount per month? Seems fairly common around some parts of Europe so I was just wondering.

A "good price" is subjective, but it's kind of both.

Europe has a LOT more competition due to several factors including much more strict anti-trust laws which helps with more plans at reasonable prices.

Quote:

Originally posted by Frankmusik

Not really a monopoly but it is such a large amount and depending on where you live it might be a monopoly to you.

Exactly. There are regions of the U.S. where it tends to be one or another and you have no choice.

LuLuDrops

Quote:

Originally posted by Frankmusik

But honestly I feel like the relationship between consumers and ISPs is just in such a bad spot right now. A lot of places you don't really have a choice so you just have to deal with it and that can suck. Hopefully at some point in the near future there is some miraculous solution that gives consumers more freedom of choice. I can't really fathom some easy way to do it though. I just want faster internet at a cheaper price tbh.

EDIT: Are there any large companies in the US that charge for the data you use, or gives you high speed data at a good price but limits the amount per month? Seems fairly common around some parts of Europe so I was just wondering.

When my parents gave up on TWC temporarily, they asked me to look into alternatives. The other services in the valley had a cap and one wasn't even fast enough to watch videos without pausing and waiting a long time. Plus equipment would have to be mailed in since it was only through the telephone I could get a hold of someone because there were no offices like TWC's. I really hate living here

We switched back and even though it can be very faulty, at least we can get a technician to come here.

LuLuDrops

So now the theory is that Comcast will start buying smaller firms:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/0...ushpmg00000067

Skywalker

Comcast is a disgusting leech.