GILROY
– Despite plans to sell one of its cable operating systems,
Charter Communications has no plans to sell its South Valley or San
Benito County systems – at least not yet, company officials
say.
Charter Communications, the nation’s third-largest cable TV
systems operator, is trying to pare down a more than $18 billion
debt. Because Comcast Cable recently opened a 500-employee service
support center in nearby Morgan Hill, the announcement raised
questions if a deal between the cable operators was in the
works.
GILROY – Despite plans to sell one of its cable operating systems, Charter Communications has no plans to sell its South Valley or San Benito County systems – at least not yet, company officials say.
Charter Communications, the nation’s third-largest cable TV systems operator, is trying to pare down a more than $18 billion debt. Because Comcast Cable recently opened a 500-employee service support center in nearby Morgan Hill, the announcement raised questions if a deal between the cable operators was in the works.
“We have five million customers in 22 states. A sale of a system could happen at any one number of locations,” said Craig Watson, vice president of communications for Charter. “But from my perspective, I’m aware of no intention whatsoever … that such a thing is even being contemplated.
“I’m not saying it can’t happen. I just have no information, no knowledge that such a thing is even being contemplated,” Watson added.
Watson’s statement was corroborated by Comcast’s vice president of communications Andrew Johnson.
“Comcast is not talking to Charter about buying any property at this time,” Johnson said.
With a potential buyout brewing, questions are being raised about the impact a cable deal would have on Gilroy’s community access station.
Suzanne St. John, the executive director for Community Media Access Partnership, is not too worried about any potential buyout.
“Anybody that buys out the system is under the same obligations as Charter is now,” St. John said. “This is something that happens all the time. When I was in Santa Cruz, the cable station was bought and sold three times.”
St. John acknowledged some level of concern given the situation between Comcast and the City of San Jose. The cable company is suing the city over its broadcasting rights deal.
The cable giant is opposed to the city’s request that the community receive access to a set of modern telecommunications facilities, industry reports state. The request is part of the franchise transfer agreement from AT&T to Comcast,
“I hope that would not transpire here,” St. John said.
