US: Viamedia’s antitrust case against Comcast progresses

Viamedia, the largest independent cable TV ad management company, issued the following statement regarding the Wednesday, February 22, decision in its antitrust suit against Comcast in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division.

As recognized in the Court’s November 4, 2016 decision, which was unchanged by the Court’s February 22nd decision, Viamedia’s antitrust claims for tying and exclusive dealing are moving ahead because Viamedia has plausibly alleged that Comcast is violating federal and state antitrust and tort laws by forcing competing satellite and cable TV providers to deal directly with Comcast if they want to advertise in regional markets.

Viamedia seeks damages of not less than $75 million, which is subject to trebling under the antitrust statute. Comcast thus faces potential liability in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The Court has ordered that all discovery and dispositive motions be completed by the end of Q3’17.

“We are pleased the Court issued an accelerated schedule to move our antitrust case forward,” said Mark Lieberman, Viamedia president and CEO. “We also understand the US Department of Justice is investigating Comcast’s control and behavior in the spot cable advertising market. Both of these should provide the marketplace protection our industry needs.”

Full Content: PR Newswire

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