DirecTV Inc. wants guaranteed access to regional sports networks before the federal government approves the takeover of Adelphia Communications Corp. by Comcast Corp. and Time Warner Inc.
In comments filed Thursday, DirecTV told the Federal Communications Commission that Comcast and Time Warner plan to build massive clusters designed to give the MSOs the leverage to control the distribution of regional sports channels, regardless of ownership.
DirecTV said the FCC should bar Comcast from withholding Comcast SportsNet in Philadelphia. The direct-broadcast satellite firm also called for the establishment of an arbitration process when talks over sports channels break down.
DirecTV noted that the cable merger conditions it is supporting are similar to the conditions the FCC imposed on News Corp.’s takeover of DirecTV in late 2003.
