Legislation By Rep. Ross (D-Ark) Would Offer All Consumers Access To In-State News, Emergency Weather Alerts, Politics, Public Service Messages, and Sporting Events
PITTSBURGH, July 14, 2009 – The American Cable Association issued the following statement commending Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.) for introducing the Local Television Freedom Act, which would allow ACA members to provide their customers with critical information transmitted by broadcast stations located in the same state but not inside the same Designated Market Area (DMA) boundary as defined by The Nielsen Company:
“ACA applauds Rep. Ross (D-Ark.) for pursuing with conviction an issue that would provide great consumer benefits not only for his constituents but also for millions of voters in many congressional districts across the country. In today’s day and age, it’s undemocratic to maintain regulations that block consumer access to in-state news, local emergency alerts, local public service messages, local political and issue advertising, local sports, and local commercials,” said ACA President and CEO Matt Polka. “Rep. Ross has identified one of the biggest problems with our overly regulated television market system — namely, that some consumers are unable to receive television stations from their own state. It’s an issue of localism that cable operators hear about from their customers as well. Cable has the technological ability to solve this problem, and we are pleased to be part of the solution in Rep. Ross’s bill.”
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About the American Cable Association
Based in Pittsburgh, the American Cable Association is a trade organization representing more than 900 smaller and medium-sized, independent cable companies who provide broadband services for more than 7 million cable subscribers primarily located in rural and smaller suburban markets across America. Through active participation in the regulatory and legislative process in Washington, D.C., ACA’s members work together to advance the interests of their customers and ensure the future competitiveness and viability of their business. For more information, visit https://acaconnects.org/