The index is one of the leading economic indicators that measures the satisfaction of consumers across the U.S. economy.
The two cable giants aren’t the only ones near the bottom of the index ratings. Customer satisfaction is deteriorating for all of the largest pay TV providers, but the ACSI director has concerns.
“Comcast and Time Warner assert their proposed merger will not reduce competition because there is little overlap in their service territories,” ACSI Director David VanAmburg said in a news release. “Still, it’s a concern whenever two poor-performing service providers combine operations.
“ACSI data consistently show that mergers in service industries usually result in lower customer satisfaction, at least in the short term. It’s hard to see how combining two negatives will be a positive for consumers.”
Comcast officials told us at the time of the merger announcement that the company would accelerate Time Warner Cable’s conversion to an all-digital network. This will allow subscribers to install their own Internet modem or set-top box with universal TV remotes, which Comcast claims is a popular feature on its system.
Let’s hope the saying, “It can’t get any worse,” is true.
Milking a laugh line
Reporter Mark Fisher thought he detected a faint scent of politics in the air at last week’s groundbreaking ceremony for what will be a $100 million Meijer dairy facility in Tipp City, attended by Gov. John Kasich and a host of other elected officials — some of whom, like Kasich, face challengers on the November ballot.
But Tipp City Mayor Pat Hale drew the loudest laugh of the ceremony with a decidedly non-partisan line. Channeling “How I Met Your Mother” character Barney Stinson quite effectively, Hale told the assembled dignitaries that he was pleased when he first heard of the new milk facility: “I just knew it was going to be legend (wait for it) … dairy.”
Size matters
We’re coming out of a recession where the real estate market dropped to record lows, but that doesn’t mean we still don’t like things big here. With the improved economy, new homes are getting bigger again.
The average size of newly built single-family homes increased during the first quarter of this year, according to the National Association of Home Builders.
Using first-quarter census numbers on home starts and completions, the average single-family house increased from 2,656 square feet to 2,736 square feet, and the median rose from 2,465 square feet to 2,483 square feet.
Have a business tip or insider information? Give me a call at (937) 225-0623 or email me at rich.gillette@coxinc.com
Rich Gillette is the Dayton Daily News business editor. Follow him on Twitter @richgillette
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