October 25, 2012

ACA: ‘Broadcaster-Abused Consumers’ Affected By Tribune Co.’s World Series Blackout Of 50,000 Cablevision Customers

PITTSBURGH, October 25, 2012 – American Cable Association President and CEO Matthew M. Polka issued the following statement regarding Tribune Co.’s ongoing blackout of 50,000 Cablevision System Corp. subscribers in Connecticut, who missed Game 1 of the World Series last night:

“This year, we have seen a record number of broadcaster signal blackouts against pay-TV providers and their customers, fueled by years of creeping media consolidation, collusive bargaining tactics by TV station owners and programmers’ tying-and-bundling schemes designed to deny choice while driving up monthly bills.

“When 50,000 Connecticut households with cable service can’t see baseball’s World Series because of Tribune’s blackout that began Aug. 24, the market is not working, regulation has failed and the time for change has arrived.  ACA urges Congress and the Federal Communications Commission to reject broadcasters’ ‘market-is-working’ chant and seek to craft solutions that will address the concerns of millions of broadcaster-abused consumers in a direct and material way.”

About the American Cable Association: Based in Pittsburgh, the American Cable Association is a trade organization representing about 850 smaller and medium-sized, independent cable companies who provide broadband services for more than 7.4 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/