During the past week and a half, cable companies have been busy at the Federal Communications Commission concerning News Corp.'s proposed takeover of Hughes and DirecTV.
Four MSOs - Advance/Newhouse, Cable One, Cox and Insight - had representatives at the FCC last week to discuss the deal. Their attorneys met with advisors for FCC Chairman Michael Powell and commissioners Kathleen Abernathy and Michael Copps, stated documents at the commission.
While the companies didn't offer specifics on the meetings, they have been vocal at the FCC and elsewhere with their concerns about the vertical integration threat the News Corp./DirecTV deal may create for the media giant. Generally, the FCC filings said discussions centered on possible remedies on the proposed transaction to address those concerns.
Also this month, officials with Cablevision met with Ken Ferree, chief of the FCC's Media Bureau, along with other personnel with the bureau and with the FCC's International Bureau. Discussions included possible conditions on the News Corp./DirecTV deal, FCC filings stated.
In addition to the FCC, the Justice Department's antitrust staff is reviewing News Corp.'s takeover of a controlling stake in Hughes and DirecTV. Observers expect a decision on the deal to be reached before the end of the year.
