[opendtv] Re: News: Independent Networks, ACA Speak Out Against Program Tying

  • From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2008 16:34:26 -0400

Craig Birkmaier posted:

-------------------------------
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6567726.html?display=Breaking
+News&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.
-------------------------------------

As long as the public considers its cable connection to be as crucial to
their very survival as some people claim on here, the cable companies
have all the leverage they need to bundle, and to raise their fees, as
much as the market will bear. I don't understand this constant whining.
This is the way the economy works.

The way the US and other economies take care of these monopolies or
quasi-monopolies, the best examples of which are the public utilities,
is through strict regulation.

So, those complaining about bundling and about increasing cable rates
can either (a) encourage the govt to increase regulation of the MVPDs,
or (b) find alternatives and use them. And for sure, those calling to
the demise of the FCC have no business turning around the next second
and calling for more FCC action.

Again, this sounds so much like obese SUV drivers complaining about the
price of gasoline.

Bert
 
 
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