US: Senator emerges as top Comcast merger opponent

Senator Al Franken (D-MN) has become the most vocal opposition to the planned merger between Comcast and Time Warner Cable in Congress, recently singling out Netflix to become more vocal in the debate, say reports.

Senator Franken has sent a letter to Netflix CEO Reed Hastings to discuss the merger and Netflix’s recent joint venture with Comcast. The two made an agreement for an undisclosed amount to allow Netflix to fix issues experienced by viewers when trying to stream content.

Senator Franken expressed concern over the agreement in his letter, sent Wednesday.

”If incidents like this become the norm – as I fear is more likely if Comcast is allowed to acquire Time Warner Cable – it would have serious implications for consumers,” he said, singling out higher costs, stronger barriers to entry and reduced consumer choice as likely repercussions of the merger.

The cable companies are looking to merge in a $45 billion deal and are subject to reviews by the Federal Communications Commission as well as the Department of Justice.

Full Content: Variety

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