I would like to point out the following:
While true that the Comcast-Time-Warner merger would mean that they would control 60% of the cable business, please play close attention to how that is defined in relationship to all potential Internet\Video\Telecom services. You are no longer locked down as you think. I left cable as son as I moved to Texas – I have been perfectly happy with IPTV. True – I get frustrated at times with ATT U-Verse – however – we have worked out our differences and they have made infrastructure improvements in my area – probably because they knew I could switch back to cable – or better yet – go with Verizon FiOS – another IPTV provider. Coming from Tega Cay, SC – where I was pretty much stuck in 2010 w/ Comporium – a local provider (allowed to have monopoly due to some regulatory rural provision clause at the time) I had to deal with the tyranny of only one broadband option. You would be surprised with how many communities are still stuck with one option for *somewhat* quality high-speed Internet access.
Bent County, CO basically gives you satellite, dial-up, or repackaged CenturyLink using some local Mom-and-Pop shop. How does this affect them? It won’t!
Finally – you know you can always cut the cord, buy a Smart HDTV and Antenna – and enjoy 15-25 primary and secondary channels alongside of NetFlix, Amazon Prime, VuDu, and Hulu Plus using only Broadband. With HBO GO and CBS offering decoupled streaming soon – you get even better options. So let the cable companies consolidate and reduce cable options. Broadband Internet is the utility of the future. The cable companies are consolidating to eek out some final profitability just like the broadcast radio networks.
Nerdodamus 