Small Operators Await Latest News On FCC Proceedings
PITTSBURGH, July 8, 2016 – The American Cable Association is pleased to announce that Federal Communications Commissioner Mignon L. Clyburn, a leader in shaping public policy aimed at delivering advanced communications services to all Americans, will speak at this month’s 11th annual Independent Show, sharing her views with hundreds of independent operators and others on the key issues of the day.
“We all look forward to hearing Commissioner Clyburn’s valued insights on a range of public policy issues that affect so many consumers, particularly those who are served by independent operators or who reside in smaller, rural and hard to serve markets,” ACA President and CEO Matthew M. Polka said. “On so many issues, Commissioner Clyburn’s thinking leads the way.”
Commissioner Clyburn’s Independent Show address comes at a critical time, with the FCC actively engaged on many issues of vital interest to independent cable operators, including such video issues as set-top box mandates and retransmission consent reform; and such broadband issues as business data services and privacy. Commission Clyburn has been a leader on these issues and so much more, underscoring her concern for the ability of all consumers to receive world-class communications services, including those in rural and high-cost areas.
Of particular note, Commissioner Clyburn has generated discussion at the FCC on ways to promote the availability of diverse and independent sources of video programming, an issue that independent cable operators and independent programmers — each of whom will be well-represented at the Independent Show — have common views on the sources of, and workable solutions to, the lack of such content on cable and satellite TV lineups.
Commission Clyburn is scheduled to deliver prepared remarks at 10:15 a.m. on Monday, July 25, prior to a one-on-one session with her and ACA’s Polka. Commissioner Clyburn’s remarks will directly follow an appearance by Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) in a similar exchange with ACA’s Polka. On July 26, the Independent Show will also feature a panel on the challenges faced by both smaller cable operators and independent programmers.
Commissioner Clyburn served as Acting Chairwoman of the FCC, following her appointment by President Barack Obama on May 20, 2013. As Commissioner, she is serving a second term as a Democrat on the Commission, for which she was sworn in on February 19, 2013 following her re-nomination by the President and confirmation by the United States Senate.
Commissioner Clyburn began her service at the FCC in August, 2009, after spending 11 years as a member of the sixth district on the Public Service Commission (PSC) of South Carolina. She served as its chair from July 2002 through June 2004.
The Independent Show is being held at Walt Disney World’s award-winning Swan and Dolphin Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fl. The show is an annual forum created to focus attention on the key public policy issues facing independent cable operators. ACA co-hosts the event with the National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC), a Lenexa, Kansas-based group that buys programming and equipment for U.S. cable operators. Please find show news on Twitter at #TIS16 and agenda details by clicking here.
About the American Cable Association: Based in Pittsburgh, the American Cable Association is a trade organization representing nearly 750 smaller and medium-sized, independent cable companies who provide broadband services for nearly 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/