Recently, Senator Al Franken (D. MN) spoke out about the potential merger between cable providers Comcast and Time Warner:
http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/...
"There's not enough competition, we need more competition, not less. This is going exactly in the wrong direction," Franken said in an interview with CNN's "The Lead with Jake Tapper."
"Consumers are – I am very concerned – are going to pay higher bills, they are going to get even worse service and less choice," said Franken.
More and more Americans get their entertainment from the internet. Comcast currently has 20% of the Internet service market, the merger will give it 30%.
Franken says he was already against Comcast acquiring NBC Universal, and says the broadcasting of the Olympics illustrates why it was a bad deal for cable subscribers.
"If you're a cable provider, you better have (the Olympics). So if you're not Comcast, you've got to pay ... Comcast NBC for the rights to the Olympics. And Comcast can charge whatever they want. They have to pay themselves the same thing by law, but they're taking out of their right pocket and putting it in their left pocket," says Franken.
"That's anti-competitiveness, as far as I'm concerned," said the senator. - CNN, 2/13/14
Today i received an e-mail from Franken who wants to hear from all of you about this potential merger so he can continue to fight back against this:
If you feel like you pay too much for cable. . . like you’re not getting your money’s worth… like your Internet connection is slower than what you’re supposedly paying for ...like there isn’t enough competition to ensure that you get a fair deal -- well, you’re certainly not alone.
And things could be about to get a whole lot worse: Comcast (the nation’s biggest cable company) is planning to acquire Time-Warner (the nation’s second-biggest cable company).
This certainly seems like bad news for consumers already being squeezed, and I’m leading the charge to make sure this deal doesn’t just slide past regulators. But right now, I want to hear from you.
Could you take a few minutes to take a quick survey about your experience with the big cable companies and your thoughts on this proposed deal?
http://www.alfranken.com/...
As you might remember, I worked in the media industry before I was a Senator. And I saw the damaging effects of media consolidation first-hand. That’s why I fought against Comcast’s merger with NBC, and why I’m so concerned about this proposed acquisition, as well.
This isn’t just some wonky intellectual debate. This deal could translate directly into higher prices and worse service for you. And in order to keep the focus where it belongs -- on the interests of consumers -- I’m going to need your voices in this fight.
That’s why I’m asking you to complete a short survey describing your experience with the big cable companies, and inviting you to share your thoughts and concerns about this deal.
Please click here to take the survey.
http://www.alfranken.com/...
Thanks for taking the survey -- and stay tuned for more on this developing issue.
Al
P.S.: I only need a minute of your time. Click here to fill out a short survey and help me protect consumers from skyrocketing cable rates!
http://www.alfranken.com/...
Click here to take Franken's survey:
http://www.alfranken.com/...