The Comcast-Time Warner Cable deal has become a...
The Comcast-Time Warner Cable deal has become a campaign issue in Democratic Sen. Al Franken’s fight to win reelection in Minnesota this November. He highlighted media consolidation concerns on his campaign website and launched an informal poll asking people about…
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their cable service and how satisfied they are (http://bit.ly/1nTJVFl). “Are you concerned that the Comcast-Time-Warner deal would result in higher prices and/or worse service for you?” the poll asks, giving an option for people to tell Franken what they think about the proposed deal. His campaign Facebook page urged people to share the poll “if you're concerned about skyrocketing cable rates.” The campaign website also included a press release highlighting how Franken recently told CNN the proposed acquisition would be “going exactly in the wrong direction” and that consumers would face “even worse service and less choice” if it’s approved (http://bit.ly/1gRWyjF). His campaign issues page said Franken “has taken a leadership role in opposing the recent trend towards media consolidation -- fighting against mergers that would lead to less choice and higher prices for Minnesota consumers carefully watching their cable, Internet, and cell phone bills” (http://bit.ly/1fFDfGo). Franken is a member of the Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee, which has said it plans a hearing on the deal. A spokeswoman for Franken’s Senate campaign told us Franken is “very concerned” about consumer impact and “will continue to ask tough question about what it will mean for cable bills and customer service.”