Thursday morning, the two top cable providers in the United States announced an acquisition that will create one media giant. Comcast plans to merge with Time Warner Cable in a $45.2 billion stock value deal. 

Comcast, which recently purchase NBC Universal in 2010 and announced a second tower to dominate the Philadelphia skyline, will now expand its cable services across the United States with Time Warner Cable, adding 12 million customers for a grand total of 30 million, well beyond competitor providers such as DirecTV.

Time Warner Cable, which branched off from Time Warner's Turner Broadcasting in 2009, provides internet, phone service, local and regional cable news and digital services to millions in 29 states.

Almost a quarter of the combined company will be held by Time Warner Cable shareholders. 

The merger is taking place at the heals of a court decision on net neutrality and the role that the FCC plays in ensuring equal internet access to all. As the largest cable and internet provider in the country, the Comcast NBC Universal Time Warner media conglomerate will be at the forefront of the debate that will shape the internet for years to come.