Comcast Corp. and Viamedia Inc. presented arguments Friday before an Illinois federal judge regarding a pivotal question: whether Comcast’s platform for connecting advertisers with spot cable providers operates as a one-sided or two-sided platform. The determination could significantly impact whether Viamedia’s antitrust claims proceed to trial, following a remand by the Seventh Circuit nearly five years ago.
Comcast’s Argument: A Two-Sided Market Framework
Comcast maintains that its interconnect services, which facilitate advertising transactions between cable companies and advertisers, function as a two-sided platform akin to the credit card networks analyzed in the Supreme Court’s 2018 Ohio v. American Express (Amex) decision. Comcast argues that this framework supports its position under the Sherman Act.
Arthur Burke, an attorney for Comcast with Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, argued that the company’s services create a “virtuous feedback loop,” with increased participation on one side enhancing value for the other. He asserted that the Seventh Circuit’s earlier opinion aligns closely with the Amex ruling, even quoting key language from the Supreme Court decision.
