• Mediaweek, Friday, July 7, 2006 11:45 AM

The Federal Communications Commission could vote next week to approve a pending bid by the top two cable companies--Comcast and Time Warner--to gobble up nearly 5 million customers from the bankrupt Adelphia Communications, reports Mediaweek. The takeover will be on the agenda for the agency's next regular meeting on July 13. "That indicates FCC Chairman Kevin Martin thinks he can garner three votes for the proposal, which has drawn controversy from critics alarmed that the enlarged cable giants may abuse their market power," Mediaweek says. But to allay the worries, Martin has also proposed requiring binding arbitration for some disputes over access to regional sports programming. However, that proposal would exempt Comcast's control over Philadelphia's pro sports broadcasts, the trade magazine says, citing unnamed sources.

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