For Immediate Release
Washington, D.C, (Thursday, June 14, 2006)--Consumers Union praised U.S. Representatives Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) and Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) for their introduction of legislation that could provide consumers greater choice and reduced costs for cable television programming.
The Family and Consumer Choice Act of 2007 would offer cable companies incentives to allow consumers to block cable channels they don’t wish to receive and receive a credit on their cable bills for the cost of those channels.
"Consumers are fed up with paying for channels they don't want and don't watch," said Jeannine Kenney, senior policy analyst with Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports. "This legislation helps put the power back in the hands of consumers, providing them with the opportunity to block those channels they find too expensive or too offensive."
Recent Nielsen research shows that though the number of cable channels available to consumers has more than doubled since 1995, from 40 to 104, the average number of channels actually watched has increased by only 5, from 10 to 16. Consumers currently are required to pay for all the channels in the expanded basic tier whether or not they ever watch them and even if they find them objectionable. The cost of cable has risen by 68 percent since Congress deregulated cable rates in 1996.
Consumers Union has long supported giving consumers greater channel choice in their cable programming, or "a la carte" programming. Last year the Federal Communications Commission issued a report that found cable "a la carte" pricing could lower cable bills by as much as 13 percent.
- Comply with FCC indecency policies now applied to broadcast television;
- Scramble any channel customers don’t want and credit subscribers’ bills for their cost. Scrambling is not required for any channels sold individually or in "themed" tiers, like sports or arts & entertainment packages; or
- Offer a "family" tier that excludes channels with programs rated for mature audiences only or as inappropriate for viewers under 14.
Contact: Jeannine Kenney or Jennifer Fuson, (202) 462-6262
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