Dems Seek Wheeler Input On Comcast/TWC, AT&T/DirecTV

Democratic House Communication Subcommittee staffers have signaled that the proposed Comcast/Time Warner Cable merger will be a topic of conversation at the oversight hearing May 20 with Federal Communications Commission chairman Tom Wheeler.

Both the Republican and Democratic memos predate AT&T's announcement of its planned purchase of DirecTV, which is likely to draw some attention at the hearing, said a Democratic aide.

Also look for Title II classification of Internet access to be on the agenda from the Democratic side. The Republican staff memo to members made no mention of the deal, but Dems clearly have concerns.

Calling it one of the key issues before the FCC, they talk about the potential competitive harms raised by critics of the deal and their concern about the amount of video programming -- it singles out the 29 regional sports nets -- and broadband access subs the new company would have.