Chairman Wheeler's Response to Sens Klobuchar and Lee Regarding the Proposed Acquisition of Time Warner Cable

On Nov 14, Sens Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Mike Lee (R-UT) wrote to the Federal Communications Commission regarding the proposed merger between Comcast and Time Warner Cable, seeking an examination of the impact of the merger on independent programmers in terms of their ability to enter the market and whether a merged Comcast-Time Warner Cable entity would have the incentive and ability to withhold carriage or discriminate against independent programmers. They also asked the FCC to review whether online distribution is a viable alternative and whether Comcast-TWC would have the ability to block online video. On Dec 4, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler responded and assured them that these issues are front and center in the FCC's proceeding, and that the FCC will continue to conduct an open and transparent process as they review the issues presented by the proposed transaction, including the concerns raised in their letter.