Atlantic Broadband announced Monday its intent to buy MetroCast Connecticut, one of the largest cable companies in the region, for $200 million.

David Isenberg, president and chief revenue officer for Atlantic, said in a phone interview that he expects the deal to win final approval by the end of the third quarter. He added that Atlantic plans to leave MetroCast's current operations intact and that customers, while getting expanded premium options, would be able to retain their current services at no extra cost when the deal is completed.

"We were looking to expand by acquisition," Isenberg said. "We think it is a great fit and very consistent with the rest of our business."

Atlantic, owned by Cogeco Cable Inc., will pick up its first cable customers in Connecticut covering an area that serves New London, Waterford, East Lyme, Montville, Plainfield, Killingly, Sterling, Griswold and Putnam. MetroCast, with local offices on Myrock Road in Waterford, currently has the potential to serve 70,000 homes and businesses.

"With eastern Connecticut's strong demographics and MetroCast Connecticut's well-maintained networks, this acquisition brings sizable residential and business growth opportunities," said Richard Shea, Atlantic's president and chief executive, in a statement.

Isenberg said Atlantic has been looking for well managed, well maintained cable operations outside larger urban areas that have the potential for growth.

Among the hallmarks of Atlantic, Isenberg said, is its agnostic approach to potential competitors such as Hulu and Netflix. Atlantic actually works to provide customers easier access to these other options, including a channel devoted exclusively to giving people instant Netflix access.

"We don't look at Hulu or Netflix or other Internet TV options as competitors but really as a complement to what we are trying to bring to customers," Isenberg said. "We understand it's not either/or; most people want some of both."

He added that Atlantic has been at the forefront of enhancing customer experiences, such as promising a two-hour service window for people with issues that need to be addressed.

"To do that, we need a strong local team in place," Isenberg said.

Pennsylvania-based MetroCast currently provides TV service to about 23,000 customers, with 22,000 Internet and 8,000 phone customers. Its revenue was projected to reach $45 million this year.

Atlantic Broadband, headquartered in Quincy, Mass., is the 13th largest cable television provider in the country. It serves about 224,000 customers in Pennsylvania, Florida, Maryland, Delaware and South Carolina.

Atlantic is planning to launch a new TiVo system for residential customers and a Metro Ethernet option for businesses in the near future.

l.howard@theday.com

Twitter: @KingstonLeeHow