@FierceCable RT @NationalJournal Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry has asked the FCC and Justice Department to keep a close eye on the Comcast-NBC Universal merger. Kerry politically sweetened his request by calling Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA) an "active corporate citizen" in his home state. Story | Follow @FierceCable
> There must be something in the frozen water in Canada because, unlike the U.S., television service providers there are continuing to add subscribers, according to Boon Dog Professional Services, an oddly named research and consulting firm. The Dog also said it expects IPTV to grab a 7 percent market share by the end of 2011 with satellite holding 31 and cable taking 62. Story.
> Undoubtedly, there's some connection between this item and the previous one. U.S. consumers are increasingly considering using their game consoles as more fully featured entertainment devices (i.e. over-the-top content grabbers). Story.
> You want HD? Comcast says it has HD-150 channels' worth-including 50 just added in its Philadelphia market as it completed its most recent upgrade. Story.
> You may not be able to find Clear-branded product at your local retailers if the carrier has to go to Sprint (NYSE: S) to beg for more cash. The telco owns 54 percent of Clearwire (Nasdaq: CLWR) and is increasingly questioning funding a competitor, according to McAdams Wright Ragen analyst Sid Parakh. Story.
And finally ... how would you like to wield ultimate power over the cable industry's leading lobbying organization? NCTA has initiated a search to replace outgoing president Kyle McSlarrow and has hired search firm Korn Ferry to do the job. If you're interested, send a missive to Nels Olson at Korn Ferry ([email protected]). Story.