Title
Resolution to Consent to Assignment and Change of Control from Comcast Corporation to Midwest Cable, Inc.
Memorandum
Comcast Cablevision of the South, Inc., was granted a franchise by the City Council in October of 2002, and entered into a franchise agreement to operate and maintain a cable television system within the City of Ann Arbor, to provide certain services to the City of Ann Arbor, and to make payments of franchise and fees as support for Public, Educational and Governmental access channels ("PEG fees") (the "Franchise Agreement"). The franchise and Franchise Agreement extend to October of 2017. As a result of some reorganizations and name changes, Comcast Cablevision of the South, Inc., became Comcast of Colorado/Florida/Michigan/New Mexico/Pennsylvania/Washington, LLC ("Franchisee"). Comcast Corporation ("Comcast") is the ultimate parent company of Franchisee.
Budget/Fiscal Impact
Under the terms of the proposed transfer, no change in revenues or expenditures under the existing franchise is expected.
As part of a pending acquisition of Time/Warner Cable by Comcast, a new, independent entity, Midwest Cable, Inc. ("Midwest Cable"), has been formed to take over cable franchises from and provide services to customers of subsidiaries and affiliates of Comcast and of Charter Communications, Inc. As part of that restructuring, Franchisee will become Comcast of Michigan IV, LLC ("New Franchisee") and become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Midwest Cable. Review and approval of this transaction is pending before the United States Justice Department ("USDOJ") and the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC"). Following approval of the transaction by the USDOJ and the FCC, Midwest Cable will do business under the name GreatLand Connections.
Representatives of Comcast have represented that Midwest Cable and the New Franchisee will assume all of the lawful franchise obligations, duties and responsibilities specified in the City's Franchise Agr...
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