(FREEBEACON) — Comcast—the cable television and Internet service giant with extensive ties to the Democratic party—could dominate the market for local political advertising if the company’s proposed $45 billion merger with Time Warner Cable (TWC) is approved, according to industry sources.
The potential merger’s impact on the $5.4 billion local cable advertising market, including political advertising, has been largely absent from public debate as the companies seek approval from regulators at the Justice Department and Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Comcast sought to assuage competitive concerns about the deal by announcing in February that it would shed about 3 million subscribers, bringing its combined customer base with TWC to 30 million. However, sources say the 30 million figure does not reflect the company’s growing involvement in the local advertising market.
Advertisement - story continues below
