PITTSBURGH, June 12, 2013 – American Cable Association President and CEO Matthew M. Polka issued the following statement applauding today’s testimony by BendBroadband CEO Amy Tykeson before the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology:
“BendBroadband CEO Amy Tykeson spoke for hundreds of small cable operators serving millions of consumers in telling a House Subcommittee today the retransmission consent laws need to be updated because they are allowing broadcasters to take advantage of consumers by charging excessive fees and threatening to black out TV signals before marquee events with little warning.
“Tykeson, whose company is an ACA Member, stressed that cable bills are also skyrocketing because major programmers in control of a dozen or more channels each won’t allow pay-TV distributors to create multiple channel packages tailored to the needs and interests of subscribers. She said programmers’ bundling arrangements result in higher prices to consumers.
“ACA agrees with Tykeson that the time has come for a comprehensive review of the existing video framework as part of Congress’ reauthorization of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010 (STELA), which has provisions that are scheduled to sunset on Dec. 31, 2014.”
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 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/