How is Cox Communications headquarterd in Atlanta but doesn't offer service there? (tax, to live)

[readyset]

Is there any reasons why Cox Communications does not offer cable TV and Internet in the very region it's headquarters is in? It seems like Comcast is the only major option? I find that really weird.

[flyonpa]

Cox owns the AJC & WSB, Atlanta is the 'capital' of the south, with the airport give them easy access to there operation nationwide. There may have been some tax deals to get the high paying hq office operations, also where the top exec want to live may factor into it.

[ericsonga]

Ann Cox Chambers has lived on West Paces for quite a while, so maybe that's why. Well, she is here when she isn't on her farm in Provence.

[VJP]

Look up cable franchising and franchise agreements. Sucks, but that's how it works and you end up paying for the franchise fee anyway.

[waronxmas]

As far as I understand it, there is an FCC rule against it. Since Cox owns the daily newspaper, several radio stations, several TV stations, and a large chunk of local advertising space in Atlanta they would have a detrimental effect on local matters if they also could control the majority of Internet and cable TV signals in the area.

On the other hand, there were other companies that dominated cable service in Atlanta prior to Cox even going to market (they were relatively late to the game). Those early companies were snatched up by MediaOne which was subsequently swallowed by Comcast. It may have been a situation where Cox could not penetrate into the market.

[afonega1]

Cox cable does have markets in Georgia,and even some very far flung exurbs,but not within the city or immediate area around the city.

[Newsboy]

Ever heard of something called MONOPOLY? Not the game, the business practice? In most cities, same ownership of the biggest newspaper and both highest-rated TV and radio stations would not be allowed. Cox gets away with it in Georgia because the broadcast and print operations are legally two separate companies. Can you imagine if Cox-owned Channel 2 were carried on Cox-owned cable? It's just not allowed.

BTW -- Paces Ferry Road resident Anne Cox Chambers held the title of RICHEST WOMAN IN AMERICA for years and years and years, until the collapse of the newspaper industry. Now she's just No. 4. Pity.

[flyonpa]

Cox can carry there own'ed TV stations on there cable. Comcast owns NBC, and carries it on all there systems.

[JoeP]

Cox is a media company. Cable is just one division of it.

[VJP]

The cable franchise market is such that penetration is difficult. As someone mentioned before about comcast swallowing the incumbent - sharing that company's infrastructure is going to be impossible. Building new infrastructure on new rights of way is cost prohibitive in an existing market. This has nothing to do with monopolies of network providers - not sure where you got that idea.

There may be some arcane FCC rule about controlling all media in a locale but I can't find it. That said, the primary reason there is no Cox cable here is because they have no cable/internet infrastructure here and really can't see ROI in building it.