The Monopolies get monopolier -- TWC buysout Comcast (1 Viewer)

[Sarnoff]

The latest rumor, probably being floated by Comcast in an effort to get public opinion behind the merger, is that, if approved, the new cable entity will offer Netflix as an ala carte streaming option (I assume that means that you can browse your Netflix through your cable box like an added channel or like Video on Demand and use their bandwidth to get it on your TV).

 

[cstu]

http://qz.com/177549/netflix-is-outdoing-hbo-and-showtime-with-its-buzzy-original-shows/

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As long as Netflix continues remaking classic British shows they will do fine...

 

[cstu]

Personally, I think the bigger issue is the cable providers also being owners of cable (and subsequently broadcast) channels. What's really to prevent Comcast from taking all their channels (NBC, MLB Network, E!, etc.) away from cable providers in areas where they do compete to basically force customers onto their system.

Like back in the day Microsoft only allowing Internet Explorer to work on Windows? Wouldn't be allowed to happen.

 

[mquinnjr]

Personally, I think the bigger issue is the cable providers also being owners of cable (and subsequently broadcast) channels. What's really to prevent Comcast from taking all their channels (NBC, MLB Network, E!, etc.) away from cable providers in areas where they do compete to basically force customers onto their system.

Like back in the day Microsoft only allowing Internet Explorer to work on Windows? Wouldn't be allowed to happen.

I think Comcast's out here would be to make the fees astronomically high, like 3x+ higher in markets with competition. They could then technically say they "negotiated but could not come to terms, thus (XYZ) provider does not get our channels for their customers." They already do this with regional sports networks in Philly and Houston with satellite. Give them a larger footprint, and I'd suspect this will pervade past just RSN's to cable and broadcast channels.

 

[culdeus]

Personally, I think the bigger issue is the cable providers also being owners of cable (and subsequently broadcast) channels. What's really to prevent Comcast from taking all their channels (NBC, MLB Network, E!, etc.) away from cable providers in areas where they do compete to basically force customers onto their system.

Like back in the day Microsoft only allowing Internet Explorer to work on Windows? Wouldn't be allowed to happen.

I think Comcast's out here would be to make the fees astronomically high, like 3x+ higher in markets with competition. They could then technically say they "negotiated but could not come to terms, thus (XYZ) provider does not get our channels for their customers." They already do this with regional sports networks in Philly and Houston with satellite. Give them a larger footprint, and I'd suspect this will pervade past just RSN's to cable and broadcast channels.

The Houston thing is a special case and it has cost them untold amounts of money.

 

[joffer]

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/02/comcast-time-warner-deal-chuck-schumer-103607.html

I don't talk to my brother much either

 

[flapgreen]

Comcast are some of the biggest bastards in the world. Worst customer service ever. We couldn't get rid the #######s quick enough. Crazy to think a company so bad with customer service will own the cable business. Wtf

 

[cstu]

Comcast are some of the biggest bastards in the world. Worst customer service ever. We couldn't get rid the #######s quick enough. Crazy to think a company so bad with customer service will own the cable business. Wtf

http://www.maximumpc.com/files/u69/ComcastMonopoly_Thumbnail.png

BTW, don't think TW is any better.

 

[TwinTurbo]

The worst part about this deal is the inevitable data caps, data throttling, content control, and even slower pace of innovation that will result. I think the best quote about it came from the Gizmodo article: "It's hard to escape a sinking ship if the same company also owns the ocean."