FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(WASHINGTON, DC) -- Consumers Union commends the Federal Communications Commission for steps it has taken to ensure that all cable subscribers can continue to receive their local television stations following a government-mandated conversion to all digital broadcasting in February 2009.
CU also applauds FCC actions on Tuesday that could help promote competition and transparency in the programming offered to cable subscribers.
The digital television (DTV) transition rules adopted on Tuesday will help safeguard millions of cable consumers who subscribe to analog service. Approximately 35 percent of all television homes, or approximately 40 million households, are analog-only cable subscribers.
By statute, cable operators must make local broadcasters’ primary video and program-related material viewable by all of their subscribers. The FCC’s ruling allows cable operators to comply with the viewability requirement by choosing to either carry the digital signal in analog format or carry the signal only in digital format, provided that all subscribers have the necessary equipment to view the broadcast content.
The viewability requirements extend to February 2012. The Commission committed to review them during the last year of this period in light of the state of technology and the marketplace.
"All in all, the FCC made sure analog cable customers aren't left in the lurch when the DTV transition occurs, particularly important in rural areas for people who can't afford digital or satellite television," said Gene Kimmelman, Vice President of Federal and International Affairs for Consumers Union.
On Tuesday the Commission also took steps to promote competition in the video programming marketplace by adopting rules ensuring multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) continue the have access to essential programming.
Specifically, the FCC extended a ban on exclusive contracts between vertically integrated programmers and cable operators. A vertically integrated programmer is one that is affiliated with a cable operator or other covered MVPD. Such a ban was already in place, but was scheduled to expire on October 5, 2007. The Commission also revised its rules to make it easier for complainants in such cases to gain access to information about programming contracts.
In addition, the Commission voted to seek comment on concerns relating to programming tying arrangements, which refers to the practice of some programmers to require cable companies and other distributors to purchase and carry undesired programming in return for the right to carry desired programming. The agency will seek comment whether it is appropriate to preclude these tying arrangements and to instead require all programming services to be offered on a stand-alone basis to all MVPDs.
"The FCC has opened the door for more competition and individual channel selection by moving toward transparency in what channels cost cable operators and what prices competitiors to cable-owned channels need to pay to get those channels," said Kimmelman.
Kimmelman praised Sen. John McCain’s ongoing efforts to allow consumers to purchase only the cable channels they want – or cable a la carte – and urged the FCC to approve rules implementing as soon as possible.
Contact: Jennifer Fuson, (202) 462-6262, fusoje@consumer.org
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