City that called Comcast “terrible” strikes deal for Comcast service

Comcast has won approval of its Time Warner Cable purchase in one of the cities that most vehemently objected to it.

Previously, the City Council in Worcester (MA) voted 8-3 to urge the city manager to deny a transfer of the city's cable TV license from Charter to Comcast. Charter is involved in the Comcast/TWC merger through a series of customer swaps that are contingent on the main deal. One Worcester councilor called Comcast "a terrible company" and said "they should not be welcome in this city."

But now, City Manager Edward Augustus announced that "he will approve Comcast Corporation’s application to take over the city’s cable franchise after the company made several commitments that will protect Worcester jobs and valuable local news programming," according to a press release. "After a series of discussions with Augustus, Comcast has agreed to maintain the Worcester call center -- which is currently operated by Charter and employs more than 150 people -- and has pledged to continue to provide locally produced news." Comcast promised to maintain the local call center for at least three years. "Comcast has committed to continue a nightly news program, The Mayor’s Forum and coverage of local sports equivalent to what is currently offered," the announcement said. "In the event Comcast wants to transition these programs in the future, it will be required to meet with the City Manager and offer suitable, mutually agreeable alternatives to ensure Worcester continues to have a strong local news presence."

With this deal, all 53 communities in Massachusetts that were asked to approve a franchise transfer from Charter to Comcast have done so.