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Marketplace for Thursday, February 13, 2014
Feb 13, 2014

Marketplace for Thursday, February 13, 2014

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Comcast’s merger with Time Warner cable will create the biggest cable company in the nation – if not the world. If it goes through, it would leave few competitors for Comcast in the cable business.  Plus, how "seasonally adjusted" works in economic statistics – since this winter season is adjusting a lot of economic behavior in much of the country. Finally, Verizon has responded to the competition by cutting prices, adding more data and international texting with a new "More Everything" plan. As smartphones become ubiquitous – are mobile companies forced to focus less on bringing in new users and more on picking off customers from competitors?

Segments From this episode

Bridging a perception gap in, and about, Silicon Valley

Feb 13, 2014
A look at class divisions through public transportation and education.

Valentine's Day romance and a Ferris wheel ride

Feb 13, 2014
Marketplace Datebook for Friday, February 14, 2014

Comcast's competition isn't cable companies -- it's Netflix

Feb 13, 2014
Comcast’s merger with Time Warner Cable will create the biggest cable company in the nation – if not the world

Verizon enters the price wars

Feb 13, 2014
As competitors amp up their game, Verizon strategizes
Verizon is the latest company to announce a "free" data program.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

What seasonally adjusted data does and doesn't mean

Feb 13, 2014
Retail numbers out today don’t look great, sales fell by 0.4 percent in January— when you take into account “seasonal adjustment”.

Trading tweets for designer perfume at Fashion Week

Feb 13, 2014
Social media currency that can be exchanged for actual products

What's in a name for 1-800-Flowers.com?

Feb 13, 2014
A rose by any other name wouldn't smell as sweet for CEO Jim McCann.

Why a health insurance company entered the housing market

Feb 13, 2014
Taking action on research suggesting health has a lot to do with where you live

More barges carrying oil down the Mississippi River

Feb 13, 2014
Austin Golding runs Golding Barge Lines out of Vicksburg, Miss.

Comcast’s merger with Time Warner cable will create the biggest cable company in the nation – if not the world. If it goes through, it would leave few competitors for Comcast in the cable business.  Plus, how “seasonally adjusted” works in economic statistics – since this winter season is adjusting a lot of economic behavior in much of the country. Finally, Verizon has responded to the competition by cutting prices, adding more data and international texting with a new “More Everything” plan. As smartphones become ubiquitous – are mobile companies forced to focus less on bringing in new users and more on picking off customers from competitors?

Music from the episode

Coast Emily Reo
Swagger Mocean Worker