Among programmers, Discovery Communications has been perhaps the most vocal critic of the proposed merger between Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) and Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC).
Discovery has voiced fears that putting 30 percent of pay-TV subscriptions under one roof will create market leverage that will squeeze out smaller, independent programmers while accelerating overall TV industry consolidation.
However, absent from Discovery's quest to stop the proposed union has been its top in-house lobbyist, Alexa Verveer. She's been recused from the matter because she is the daughter of Philip Verveer, a senior counselor to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler, who of course holds crucial regulatory oversight over the proposed Comcast/TWC deal.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Discovery has in Verveer's stead retained the services of Washington lobbying firm Glover Park Group to oversee its response to the deal.
As for Philip Verveer, the paper says he doesn't have to recuse himself from Comcast/TWC discussions simply because his daughter is no longer a dependent.
For more:
- read this Wall Street Journal story
Related links:
Roberts: Comcast now has 'that Silicon Valley vibe'
Discovery Channel parent opposes Comcast-TWC merger
Wheeler's comments foreboding to Comcast-TWC merger? Depends who you ask