Ameritech canceled a teleconference touting its success with cable overbuilds following the announcement of the SBC takeover. Additionally, SBC has a history of spinning off its cable television properties and other related video ventures. SBC's CEO told Senate subcommittee that it would make no promises in keeping the New Media Division and continue the cable overbuild ventures prompting many to see the proposed merger as anti-competitive. Overall, Comcast lost 78.9 million dollars based on non-cable TV related ventures such as with its PCS partnership with Sprint. Subscribers will receive 60 new channels with 20 more to be added later.
Increase is the largest for any six month period over the last two years.
William Tauzin is preparing to introduce legislation that would force the cable industry to offer a la carte cable program packaging or be subject to reregulation by Capitol Hill. Cable industry feels that a la carte packaging is technically not feasible. Cable industry also feels such a measure would be in violation of their First Amendment right to free speech.