US: New York takes the wheel in Comcast merger case

In the wake of New York’s overhauled cable franchise rules, reports say the state could pose as a major roadblock to the proposed merger between Comcast and Time Warner Cable, a deal that, up until recently, has focused itself in Washington.

According to reports, NY Governor Andrew Cuomo vowed last May to take a “hands-on review” of the proposed merger. Late last week, the state public service commission held its last hearing to discuss the transaction.

While New York itself cannot block the merger, the state could bar the aspects of the deal that involve the state. Some experts believe that the state could potentially force Comcast and TWC to rethink their entire merging strategy; reports the state would make up nearly 10 percent of the combined company’s consumer base.

Until now, the companies had focused on convincing federal regulators in Washington that their combination will be beneficial to consumers and not harm cable competition.

Full content: Washington Post

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