Growling by Comcast May Bring Tighter Leash

[Commentary] In a filing submitted to the Federal Communications Commission in defense of its proposed merger with Time Warner Cable, Comcast lashed out uncharacteristically at its critics. And David Cohen, Comcast’s chief lobbyist, continued the salvo in comments to reporters and in his written remarks.

In baring its teeth, Comcast sought to show that the companies now opposing the deal were using public interest arguments to advance private business agendas. It said these companies had privately sought $5 billion in concessions from Comcast before going public with their opposition. “The significance of this extortion lies in not just the sheer audacity of some of the demands, but also the fact that each of the entities making the ‘ask’ has all but conceded that if its individual business interests are met, then it has no concern whatsoever about the state of the industry, supposed market power going forward, or harm to consumers, competitors, or new entrants.” Gee, Comcast, don’t sugarcoat it. Say what you really mean. The word extortion is usually applied to guys with names like Nicky who wear bad suits and crack their knuckles a lot. If this is how the company acts in the wooing stage, imagine how charming it will be once it actually gets what it wants.