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ANCHOR>> Two cable-TV heavyweights could soon become one. Comcast has a deal to purchase
Time Warner Cable, further strengthening the country's largest cable provider. 13WHAM's
Evan White spoke with business experts and local cable customers today. He's live outside
the local Time Warner Cable office, snow flurries coming and we'll see what's coming up with
our cable operation, too. REPORTER>> We can just turn this into a weather story by the
looks of this backdrop. People we spoke with today said they're nervous about what could
happen if this deal does go through. Of course they're worried about what's going to happen
to rates. Business experts say there will be changes perhaps but they don't expect anything
anytime soon. An overhaul though is expected, which could mean higher rates but also more
features. Cold weather? Sure, but you won't hear Mike Morrison complaining about cable.
MIKE MORRISON>> It's been pretty good, the service has been pretty good. REPORTER>> Good
will soon shift to unknown as cable giant Comcast is on the verge of swallowing Time
Warner Cable. MIKE MORRISON>> I don't know, I think there's not enough competition now
because the prices keep going up. I think that's going to hurt the public. REPORTER>>
No details on rates, but Comcast says it will offer a beefed-up DVR and thousands of videos.
While many people will wonder if this will change their cable services, will their rates
go up, business experts say this deal is a lot more about Internet services than it is
cable TV. GEORGE CONBOY>> Whether you get it from traditional cable, whether you get
it from satellite, whether you get it from online streaming, the Internet will provide
a lot of what you're watching and Comcast wants to own that Internet pipe into your
house. REPORTER>> Business school professor Vic Perotti says forget cable rates, think
broadband rates. VIC>> These companies are really the sole providers in most regions
of this service and so they have a lot of opportunity to control not only what happens
but the price. REPORTER>> Which don't matter to people like Mike Morrison. MIKE MORRISON>>
It's all right, but I'm not a computer person, my kids will probably like it though. REPORTER>>
That is, if federal regulators allow it. It is not a done deal, but it's one story customers
across the state and nation will be watching.