Washington (May 19, 2014) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), principal House author of the 1992 Cable Act and a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, released the following statement after AT&T announced its intention to acquire DirecTV. 

“Promoting consumer choice was at the heart of my efforts as the House author of the 1992 Cable Act, the law that gave birth to the 18-inch satellite industry and provided competition to cable, and I am deeply concerned consumer choice may be undermined by the proposed AT&T– DirecTV deal. The proposed AT&T– DirecTV deal represents yet two more communications colossi combining into one even larger company, narrowing competition in the telecommunications marketplace. With the proposed Comcast–Time Warner Cable deal occurring at the same time as this new AT&T–DirecTV proposal, I fear the only competition consumers will have in their living rooms will be who handles the remote control. Both of these deals should be closely scrutinized to determine whether consolidating companies benefits consumers in Massachusetts and around the country, spurs innovation, and promotes economic growth.  I look forward to Congressional hearings on these proposed transactions.”