PITTSBURGH, May 20, 2011 – “The American Cable Association is pleased that Full Channel cable customers in Rhode Island have access to Univision’s national network programming for the first time since Feb. 18, when local TV station WUNI pulled its signal after demanding an outrageous increase in retransmission consent payments and other exorbitant forms of compensation.
“Millions of consumers in markets both big and small are being injured by TV station blackouts, underscoring the need for Federal Communications Commission action to prevent broadcasters from abusing their market power and regulatory advantages to extract excessive compensation for pay-TV carriage.
“While Full Channel viewers now have access to Univision network programming, WUNI’s 91-day blackout continues. ACA hopes that the FCC’s pending rulemaking injects badly needed competitive forces into the retrans market and puts an end to TV station blackouts once and for all. Consumers, whose tax dollars provide broadcasters with free spectrum, deserve no less.”
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/