Spellmeyer: Small Providers Need a Level-Playing Field
June 7, 2024—ACA Connects filed comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) in the above-captioned proceeding, which seeks comment on proposals aimed at removing obstacles to the distribution of independent video programming.
In the comments, ACA Connects encourages the FCC to focus its attention on program bundling and related practices of large programmers that constrain the ability of multichannel video programming distributors (“MVPDs”), especially smaller MVPDs, to include independent programming in their channel lineups.
“Small providers need a level-playing field in the video marketplace,” said ACA Connects President and CEO Grant Spellmeyer. “ACA Connects is urging the FCC to look at how media giants and insatiable mega-broadcasters are abusing their market power with forced bundling. This is not only a top obstacle to the distribution of independent video programming, it’s also making it harder for small providers to keep their cable businesses up and running.”
FCC Comments re Fostering Independent and Diverse Sources of Video Programming
Published June 6, 2024
About ACA Connects: America’s Communications Association –America’s Communications Association – ACA Connects is a trade organization representing more than 500 smaller and medium-sized, independent companies that provide broadband, video, and phone services covering 31.9 million households, 7.3 million of which are located in rural and smaller suburban markets across America. ACA Connects Members operate in every state, providing advanced communications to connect homes, companies, main street, schools, hospitals and more. America’s economic prosperity in smaller communities and rural areas depends on the growth and success of ACA Connects Members, who believe a connected nation is a prosperous nation.