Cable Companies

Comcast's Promises Won't Help Consumers
Public Opposition to Comcast Takeover of NBC Is Growing.

The amount of BS these companies spew in order to sway public policy.

"Comcast's reputation for customer service ranks about one rung above Enron and Blackwater. The idea that it is magically going to be consumer friendly after it gets bigger doesn't pass the laugh test. Regulators at FCC and the Department of Justice should cut through the rhetoric and put a spotlight on the real problems with this kind of unprecedented media consolidation." Free Press Executive Director Josh Silver

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We all know how a cable company can lobby behind the scenes in Worcester. Well let's learn about what Common Cause reports in New York.

Nov. 12, 2008: Common Cause this morning released a new report
entitled, The Cable TV Industry:
Hardwiring Influence

The report brings together New York State lobbying and campaign finance data
for the first time to demonstrate how the cable television industry has
used its financial resources to fight for industry self-interest at the
expense of New York cable subscribers, who Common Cause deems to be the
ultimate "Loser" in the report. Hardwiring Influence
documents
the veritable "army" of lobbyists employed by the cable TV industry,
which paid more than $24 million for these lobbying efforts in recent
years, as well as $4.3 million in campaign contributions made to
politicians, their political parties, and party slush funds.
In recent months, Common Cause/New York has actively fought with our
allies to improve the responsiveness and openness of the state's Public
Service Commission (PSC), New York's primary regulator of the cable
industry. We are fighting to allow the public into the regulatory
process of not only cable television, but the other industries and
responsibilities that fall under the PSC, including electric, gas,
steam, telecommunications and water utilities, the siting of major gas
and electric transmission facilities, and the safety of natural gas and
liquid petroleum pipelines.