PITTSBURGH, July 18, 2012 – ACA President and CEO Matthew M. Polka issued the following statement in response to the National Association of Broadcasters’ latest attack on pay-TV firms that support efforts on Capitol Hill to update key provisions of the Cable Act of 1992:
“ACA believes the only people who are manufacturing a retransmission consent crisis for consumers are TV station owners themselves. Broadcasters support the status quo because it allows them to leverage monopoly market power and friendly federal regulations to slam viewers with sudden signal blackouts that don’t end until targeted pay-TV providers surrender outrageous amounts of cash, driving up monthly bills.
“The evidence is convincing that the market is broken and that rules and regulations that pre-date Netscape’s IPO need to be modernized to reflect current market conditions that too often leave consumers in the dark because of the sheer greed exercised by those who like to say they offer ‘Free TV.’ ACA strongly endorses lawmakers on Capitol Hill who agree that the time for change is now.”
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/