[opendtv] Re: News: Independent Networks, ACA Speak Out Against Program Tying
From: "Adam Goldberg" <adam_g@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2008 10:25:18 -0400
See the original filing:
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_documen
t=6520012820
In addition to meeting with Chairman Martin (w/Catherine Bohigian, Chief,
Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis), they also met with the
legal advisor to Commissioner McDowell.
-----Original Message-----
From: opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Craig Birkmaier
Sent: Friday, June 06, 2008 9:49 AM
To: OpenDTV Mail List
Subject: [opendtv] News: Independent Networks, ACA Speak Out Against Program
Tying
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6567726.html?display=Breaking+New
s&referral=SUPP&nid=2228
Independent Networks, ACA Speak Out Against Program Tying
New Group Comprises WealthTV, HD Net, Horror Channel Among Others.
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 6/5/2008 1:22:00 PM
A group calling itself the National Association of Independent
Networks (NAIN) is teaming with the American Cable Association (ACA)
to oppose so-called "program tying" by cable content suppliers.
In announcing the formation of the group, which so far comprises
WealthTV, HD Net, the Hispanic Information & Telecommunications
Network, and The Horror Channel, WealthTV President Charles Herring
said the group had a meeting with FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and mad
the rounds of Capitol Hill to make their case for what they call
"fair cable and satellite access."
Martin said in a CNBC interview Thursday that the FCC's inclination
is to stay out of independent retransmission consent negotiations
between cable operators and TV station owners--one of the
negotiations NAIN and the smaller cable operators represented by the
ACA are concerned with.
"today television programming is provided by and access is limited
to, primarily a small number of large media companies that control
distribution platforms and/or possess multiple broadcast affiliates,
giving them special negotiating powers and access, at the expense of
independent networks, hurting the television consumer," the group
argues on its newly minted Web site.
But Martin has also pushed for untying programming at the retail and
wholesale level, arguing it will lead to greater program choice and
lower cable and satellite bills.
The FCC is currently considering possible changes to its rules on
access to multichannel video programming, which has encourage groups
like ACA and now NAIN to press their case.
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