Zephyr Teachout urges state regulators to block Comcast merger with Time Warner Cable

Upstart Democratic candidate for governor Zephyr Teachout, law professor at Fordham University, took some time away from the legal battle over her candidacy to formally submit arguments against the proposed merger of cable giants Comcast and Time Warner Cable.

In comments posted online, Teachout and running mate Tim Wu, a Columbia University law professor, urged the New York State Public Service Commission to block the merger because it would increase costs for consumers, stymie competition and give the merged-companies a near stranglehold on broadband access in the state.

Teachout and Wu estimated the deal would cost New Yorkers over $1 billion a year in higher rates and added costs. They also argued Comcast could use its control over broadband access to make it harder and more expensive for consumers to view cable alternatives like Netflix.