
'The FCC attached various conditions to the merger. But know this: No conditions can make this deal OK.'
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
'The FCC attached various conditions to the merger. But know this: No conditions can make this deal OK.'
With Chairman Tom Wheeler at the helm, the agency ignored hundreds of thousands of people who urged it to block this disastrous deal. Instead of standing with the people who use the Internet, he sided with the companies that want to control it.
Here's Where Things Stand:
Charter now rivals Comcast in size. Together the two companies will offer service to nearly 80 percent of U.S. households. In more than half of Charter's territory, customers will have no other real option for bundled broadband and pay-TV services. Without real competition, Charter can charge whatever it wants.
And Charter has to charge more: This deal is saddling it with nearly $27 billion in new debt. To repay that, Charter will have to raise its already steep prices. This merger will hit low-income communities and low-income people of color the hardest, forcing many offline.
Many working families already struggle each month to pay sky-high broadband bills. People will be forced to make hard choices about basic necessities, and getting online will be impossible for far too many.
The FCC attached various conditions to the merger. But know this: No conditions can make this deal OK.
What the Decision Means for Customers Nationwide:
If you're a Time Warner Cable customer, you can say hello to Charter's much higher prices, which currently start at $40/month for the first year of service and jump from there. While it isn't clear when Charter will implement the rate hikes, the company needs to pay off its debt. It will do that by charging customers more.
If you're breathing a sigh of relief because you're not in the Charter-Time Warner Cable orbit, well -- don't. Because this merger gives Charter so much market power, it will be able -- along with Comcast -- to influence what all providers charge for broadband and cable. This means you can expect your already high rates to get even higher. What's more, this deal will have grave impacts for the online video market -- hurting consumers seeking to cut the cord.
What's Next:
This deal may be done but Free Press isn't giving up. We won't stop fighting the cable industry until we've got fast, affordable Internet for everyone. That means:
Please chip in $10 today to fuel the fight.
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
With Chairman Tom Wheeler at the helm, the agency ignored hundreds of thousands of people who urged it to block this disastrous deal. Instead of standing with the people who use the Internet, he sided with the companies that want to control it.
Here's Where Things Stand:
Charter now rivals Comcast in size. Together the two companies will offer service to nearly 80 percent of U.S. households. In more than half of Charter's territory, customers will have no other real option for bundled broadband and pay-TV services. Without real competition, Charter can charge whatever it wants.
And Charter has to charge more: This deal is saddling it with nearly $27 billion in new debt. To repay that, Charter will have to raise its already steep prices. This merger will hit low-income communities and low-income people of color the hardest, forcing many offline.
Many working families already struggle each month to pay sky-high broadband bills. People will be forced to make hard choices about basic necessities, and getting online will be impossible for far too many.
The FCC attached various conditions to the merger. But know this: No conditions can make this deal OK.
What the Decision Means for Customers Nationwide:
If you're a Time Warner Cable customer, you can say hello to Charter's much higher prices, which currently start at $40/month for the first year of service and jump from there. While it isn't clear when Charter will implement the rate hikes, the company needs to pay off its debt. It will do that by charging customers more.
If you're breathing a sigh of relief because you're not in the Charter-Time Warner Cable orbit, well -- don't. Because this merger gives Charter so much market power, it will be able -- along with Comcast -- to influence what all providers charge for broadband and cable. This means you can expect your already high rates to get even higher. What's more, this deal will have grave impacts for the online video market -- hurting consumers seeking to cut the cord.
What's Next:
This deal may be done but Free Press isn't giving up. We won't stop fighting the cable industry until we've got fast, affordable Internet for everyone. That means:
Please chip in $10 today to fuel the fight.
With Chairman Tom Wheeler at the helm, the agency ignored hundreds of thousands of people who urged it to block this disastrous deal. Instead of standing with the people who use the Internet, he sided with the companies that want to control it.
Here's Where Things Stand:
Charter now rivals Comcast in size. Together the two companies will offer service to nearly 80 percent of U.S. households. In more than half of Charter's territory, customers will have no other real option for bundled broadband and pay-TV services. Without real competition, Charter can charge whatever it wants.
And Charter has to charge more: This deal is saddling it with nearly $27 billion in new debt. To repay that, Charter will have to raise its already steep prices. This merger will hit low-income communities and low-income people of color the hardest, forcing many offline.
Many working families already struggle each month to pay sky-high broadband bills. People will be forced to make hard choices about basic necessities, and getting online will be impossible for far too many.
The FCC attached various conditions to the merger. But know this: No conditions can make this deal OK.
What the Decision Means for Customers Nationwide:
If you're a Time Warner Cable customer, you can say hello to Charter's much higher prices, which currently start at $40/month for the first year of service and jump from there. While it isn't clear when Charter will implement the rate hikes, the company needs to pay off its debt. It will do that by charging customers more.
If you're breathing a sigh of relief because you're not in the Charter-Time Warner Cable orbit, well -- don't. Because this merger gives Charter so much market power, it will be able -- along with Comcast -- to influence what all providers charge for broadband and cable. This means you can expect your already high rates to get even higher. What's more, this deal will have grave impacts for the online video market -- hurting consumers seeking to cut the cord.
What's Next:
This deal may be done but Free Press isn't giving up. We won't stop fighting the cable industry until we've got fast, affordable Internet for everyone. That means:
Please chip in $10 today to fuel the fight.