Comcastic!

Comcast is the largest cable operator in America, but they don't stop there. With Comcast, you can also sign up for internet access and home phone service. I don't know how the rest of you out there feel, but I feel like Comcast is a bit overwhelming. I mean, do they really have to be in charge and in control
of every single aspect of my media consumption? Although, sometimes, it does sound tempting to have all the media I need and want with one easy plan called the Comcast Triple Play. With the Comcast Triple Play, I can receive my internet, cable, and phone service for about $99! What a great deal! One bill for an entire media package seems convenient, but is it really worth letting one company handle what type of entertainment and news comes to you? Cable is starting to feel like a giant monopoly.
In San Jose, Comcast is definitely the largest cable provider. Recently, the city went through a cable audit. Many citiznes of San Jose were receiving Comcast Cable illegally through cable networks. Comcast went around San Jose shutting down all illegal cable access, and then got people to actually commit to paying for the access. Comcast seems to be the only cable provider in the area, so people don't have a choice.
Comcast has a large influence on television. What channels are being broadcasted and what shows are being broadcasted are often chosen by Comcast. The networks must run decisions by Comcast, since Comcast is the direct provider for cable watchers. Many networks and associations have had controversy with Comcast because of its television influence. The sports team, Orioles, was sued by Comcast because it launched its own regional sports network. Comcast plans to block the network from its cable system. "Comcast has claimed one geographic region won't support two regional sports networks. The Orioles have countered that Comcast, which controls distribution to much of the region's cable viewership, is acting as a monopolist by not carrying MASN-produced Nationals games on its system." (businessjournal.com)
I also found out that the Comcast Corporation was regularly monitored the web-surfing habits of cable modem customers. -sounds scary! They have since stopped the monitoring because of online privacy issues, but would you honestly want to receive your cable from a company who spies? Comcast choosing what I get to watch and then taking note of what I was on the internet scares me.

Click here to watch Comcast Taking Over!