PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 445 TWELFTH STREET, S.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 DA 15-733 News media information 202/418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 Released: June 23, 2015 COMMISSION OPENS DOCKET FOR PROPOSED TRANSFER OF CONTROL OF TIME WARNER CABLE, INC. AND CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS INC. AND PROPOSED TRANSFER OF CONTROL OF BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS FROM ADVANCE/NEWHOUSE PARTNERSHIP TO CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS INC. MB Docket No. 15-149 On May 26, 2015, Charter Communications Inc. (“Charter”) and Time Warner Cable, Inc. (“TWC”) announced that they had entered into a definitive agreement for Charter to merge with TWC in a cash-and-stock transaction that values TWC at $78.7 billion. In addition, Charter and Advance/Newhouse Partnership (a parent of Bright House Networks, LLC) announced that Charter will acquire Bright House Networks (“BHN”) for $10.4 billion. Applications seeking Commission consent to the transfer of control of TWC and BHN and their respective wholly-owned and controlled subsidiaries (the “Applications”) are expected. The purpose of this public notice is to announce the opening of a docket, MB Docket No. 15-149, and articulate the ex parte status of discussions related to the proposed transaction. Pursuant to section 1.1200(a) of the Commission’s rules,1 the Commission may adopt modified or more stringent ex parte procedures in particular proceedings if the public interest so requires.2 We announce that as of the time any Applications are filed, this proceeding will be governed by permit-but- disclose ex parte procedures that are applicable to non-restricted proceedings under section 1.1206 of the Commission’s rules.3 Parties making oral ex parte presentations after the Applications are filed are directed to the Commission’s statement reemphasizing the public’s responsibility in permit-but-disclose proceedings and are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentation must contain the presentation’s substance and not merely list the subjects discussed.4 More than a one- or two-sentence description of the views and arguments presented is generally required.5 Other rules pertaining to oral and written presentations are set 1 47 C.F.R. § 1.1200(a). 2 On February 1, 2011, the Commission adopted a Report and Order amending and revising the Commission’s rules on ex parte presentations. Amendment of the Commission’s Ex Parte Rules and Other Procedural Rules, GC Dkt. No. 10-43, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 11-11 (rel. Feb. 2, 2011). The revised rules are awaiting publication in the Federal Register, and are not yet effective. 3 Id. § 1.1206. 4 See Commission Emphasizes the Public’s Responsibilities in Permit-But-Disclose Proceedings, Public Notice, 15 FCC Rcd 19945 (2000). 5 See 47 C.F.R. § 1.1206(b)(2). 2forth in section 1.1206(b).6 We urge parties to use the Electronic Comment Filing System (“ECFS”) to file ex parte submissions. One copy of each ex parte submission, which should include a reference to MB Docket No. 15-149, must be delivered electronically, by e-mail or facsimile, or if delivered as paper copy, by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail, to: (1) Vanessa Lemmé, Industry Analysis Division, Media Bureau, at Vanessa.Lemme@fcc.gov, (202) 418-2611 (phone) or 418-2053 (facsimile); (2) Marcia Glauberman, Industry Analysis Division, Media Bureau, at Marcia.Glauberman@fcc.gov or (202) 418-7046; (3) Adam Copeland, Competition Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, at adam.copeland@fcc.gov; (4) Jim Bird, Office of General Counsel, at TransactionTeam@fcc.gov or (202) 418-1234 (facsimile); and (5) each Commissioner or Commission employee who attended or otherwise participated in the ex parte meeting. -FCC- 6 Id. § 1.1206(b).