SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL - Record No: Res 31569

• Record No: Res 31569
• Version: 2
• Type: Resolution (Res)
• Status: Adopted
• Current Controlling Legislative Body: City Clerk
• On agenda: 2/23/2015
• Title: A RESOLUTION proposing that certain public-interest obligations be required of Comcast Corporation for its proposed merger with Time Warner Cable Incorporated in the event the merger is approved by the Federal Communications Commission.
• Sponsors: Bruce Harrell, Nick Licata
• Supporting documents: 1. Fiscal Note, 2. Signed Resn 31569

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
2/27/2015	2	Mayor	Signed
2/27/2015	2	Mayor	returned
2/27/2015	2	City Clerk	attested by City Clerk
2/23/2015	2	City Clerk	submitted for Mayor's signature
2/23/2015	2	City Council	adopted	Pass
2/18/2015	1	Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology Committee	adopt as amended	Pass
2/17/2015	1	City Council	referred

CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION _________________
title
A RESOLUTION proposing that certain public-interest obligations be required of Comcast Corporation for its proposed merger with Time Warner Cable Incorporated in the event the merger is approved by the Federal Communications Commission.
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WHEREAS, in 2010 Comcast Corporation purchased NBC Universal for $30 billion and in 2014 it announced plans to purchase Time Warner Cable for $45 billion; and

WHEREAS, Comcast Corporation leads the U.S. with nearly 22 million cable subscribers and over 20 million broadband subscribers while Time Warner Cable is the second-largest U.S. cable company, with roughly 11 million cable and broadband subscribers, together representing roughly half of all paying cable-TV-phone customers in the U. S.; and

WHEREAS, since the announcement of the proposed Comcast Corporation-Time Warner Cable merger, Comcast Corporation has made permanent its 3-year pilot program, Internet Essentials, which provides discount Internet service, low cost computer purchases, and digital literacy training to certain low income families; and

WHEREAS, United States antitrust laws regulate the conduct and organization of business corporations to promote fair competition for the benefit of consumers in part by restricting mergers and acquisitions that can substantially lessen competition and abuse monopoly power; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Communication Commission has recorded a number of sanctions against Comcast Corporation regarding fair competition among cable and Internet service providers, technological innovation, consumer service, and adherence to national and local operating agreements;

WHEREAS, the proposed merger of Comcast Corporation and Time Warner Cable is currently under review for approval by the Federal Communication Commission;

NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:

Section 1. The City of Seattle ...