PITTSBURGH, May 13, 2020 – ACA Connects President and CEO Matthew M. Polka issued the following statement in connection with the Federal Communications Commission’s release of an order implementing “buying group” provisions in the Television Viewer Protection Act of 2019:
“ACA Connects welcomes the FCC’s decision to implement provisions of the Television Viewer Protection Act that permit buying groups representing smaller multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) to negotiate retransmission consent agreements with large television broadcasters. The FCC’s action will benefit both the MVPD members of such buying groups and the broadcasters with whom such buying groups negotiate.
“We especially appreciate the FCC’s decision to interpret the key statutory terms ‘large station group’ and ‘qualified MVPD buying group’ in a manner consistent with the statutory text. This decision, unopposed by any party, will ensure that the provision functions as Congress intended.
“We appreciate the FCC’s swift action so operators may take advantage of the provision when renegotiating their contracts set to expire at the end of the year.”
About ACA Connects: America’s Communications Association – Based in Pittsburgh, ACA Connects is a trade organization representing more than 700 smaller and medium-sized, independent companies that provide broadband, phone and video services to nearly 8 million customers primarily located in rural and smaller suburban markets across America. Through active participation in the regulatory and legislative process in Washington, D.C., ACA Connects’ members work together to advance the interests of their customers and ensure the future competitiveness and viability of their businesses. For more information, visit: https://www.acaconnects.org