DirecTV CEO explains why the Comcast-Time Warner merger is bad for America

Not surprisingly, we can now count DirecTV CEO Mike White among those who oppose Comcast’s proposed Time Warner Cable acquisition. During the pay TV provider’s earnings call on Thursday afternoon, White was asked to share his feelings on the merger that would see two of the country’s largest TV and Internet providers merge into a single giant. White said that the deal would create ”unprecedented media concentration in one company,” and the combined entity would have an “effective monopoly” in two-thirds of the United States. 

DirecTV DTV -0.08% Chief Executive Mike White on Thursday voiced his opposition toComcast Corp.’s CMCSA -1.37% proposed takeover of Time Warner Cable Inc.,TWC -0.79% saying the deal would create “unprecedented media concentration in one company.” Speaking on an earnings conference call, Mr. White singled out broadband as one service the combined cable giant would dominate, saying it could have an “effective” monopoly in as much as two-thirds of the U.S. The cable deal, announced last week, has renewed speculation on Wall Street that DirecTV and Dish Network Corp. DISH +1.49% , the second and third-biggest pay TV providers, respectively, could seek to merge to gain scale and remain competitive.