PITTSBURGH, October 31, 2010 – “Fox demonstrated that federal retransmission consent rules encourage broadcasters to harm consumers by adopting a ‘blackmail or blackout’ strategy intended to wrest excessive cash compensation from local cable operators. ACA commends Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), among others, for recognizing that Fox’s 15-day blackout of 3 million Cablevision customers in the New York City market was the last straw and that Congress must step in to prevent bad actors like Fox from making a mockery of its legal obligation to negotiate in good faith. True retransmission consent reform won’t be achieved, however, unless TV stations are prevented from charging discriminatory fees to small cable operators and forming real and virtual station duopolies designed to gain even more price-gouging leverage over ACA members.”
About the American Cable Association
Based in Pittsburgh, the American Cable Association is a trade organization representing nearly 900 smaller and medium-sized, independent cable companies who provide broadband services for more than 7.6 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/