CEO prediction: Maybe only 2 TV providers, 5 years from now.

[Eric J in MN]

Media consolidation:

And Then There'll Be Two?

While competition from satellite TV providers DirecTV and and Echostar's DISH Network were originally expected to increase competition among cable companies, just the opposite may prove to be the case, Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons implied during an address to a Merrill Lynch media conference in London Thursday. Parsons said that it was conceivable to him that within five years, the industry could reach "a point in time when there's two separate stand-alone companies." However, he added, "I'm not prepared to make that call yet."

In addition to his own company, Comcast, the largest cable-TV provider, has been gobbling up smaller cable systems. He predicted that the consolidation will intensify, "and we want to participate in that consolidation." He also suggested that the Time Warner Cable unit could eventually be spun off into a separate company.

[liberal N proud]

1. This as Time Warner is grabbing up other companies at record pace

Time Warner sucks

[Nikki Stone1]

2. Not a surprise. But it won't stop at TV. My concern is the internets (NT)

NT

[porphyrian]

3. Good thing every President since Carter deregulated the media.

Put that cat back in the bag.