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Bloomberg

New Obstacle for Comcast-TWC Merger: U.S. Antitrust Lawyers Said to Be Leaning Toward Blocking the Deal

Apr 17, 2015  •  Post A Comment

Attorneys in the antitrust division of the U.S. Justice Department are said to be close to submitting a recommendation against the pending Comcast acquisition of Time Warner Cable, Bloomberg reports, citing sources who are familiar with the situation.

The story reports: “Attorneys who are investigating Comcast’s $45.2 billion proposal to create a nationwide cable giant are leaning against the merger out of concerns that consumers would be harmed and could submit their review as soon as next week, said the people.”

Top officials in the antitrust division will reportedly decide whether to file a suit in federal court to block the merger, according to sources.

Bloomberg adds: “The Justice Department lawyers have been contacting outside parties in the last few weeks to shore up evidence to support a potential case against the merger, one of the people said.”

Comcast continued to express confidence that the deal will go through. Said company spokeswoman Sena Fitzmaurice: “There is no basis for a lawsuit to block the transaction.”

She also said the deal “will result in significant consumer benefits — faster broadband speeds, access to a superior video experience, and more competition in business services resulting in billions of dollars of cost savings.”

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One Comment

  1. She also said the deal “will result in significant consumer benefits — faster broadband speeds, access to a superior video experience, and more competition in business services resulting in billions of dollars of cost savings.”

    And United said, when they gobbled up Continental, that there would be more planes in the air, more destinations, and fares would plummet. Well, not exactly. Planes are more crowded than ever because they eliminated duplication of flights and added more seats to each plane. There are no new destinations, and since the merger, carry on sizes have dropped so now you get to pay for what USED to be carry ons, and fares have nearly trebled.

    Clear Channel said that consolidation would be good for radio. Well, not exactly…

    Comcast/Warner Cable would be a disaster, just like the other two examples. THEY ARE LYING. I don’t see the merger failing to happen, though. Too much money involved and money talks. The rest of us walk.

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