Insight Communications bidding nears conclusion; WOW, Mediacom still standing

The competition to acquire cable TV operator Insight Communications may be nearing an end--and also losing some of its initial heat. WideOpenWest and Mediacom Communications appear to have merged as potentially strong bidders, but bigger names like Cablevision Systems (NYSE: CVC) and Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC) may end up not being in the running, according to The Wall Street Journal. Of the latter two companies, Cablevision may be sitting out entirely after initially showing interest, while TWC reportedly is waiting for the potential price tag of more than $3 billion to come down a bit.

Insight has about 700,000 customers in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. It has been owned by Carlyle Group for several years, though the investment firm has tried to sell it before, unsuccessfully.

For more:
- here's the story in The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.)

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