The cable companies were able to squeeze out from under the FCC’s efforts to regulate them more, including such niceties as a la carte programing, de-monopolizing areas, and creating increased competition. But they’re not done: their trade group, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association has lobbied Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) to introduce legislation that would further shake loose the shackles of government interference with the cable industry.
It’s not surprise, of course, that the NCTA is a large donor to Blackburn’s campaigns, but this is business as usual in Congress.
We’re hoping this bill doesn’t pass, as it would end the 70/70 provision currently governing cable monopolies, stating that when nationally, 70% of the households in Amercia have cable TV available to them, and 70% of the homes in America actually subscribe to it, then the FCC can step in and really go to work.
The NCTA is claiming under 53% of the households in America have cable TV, but the FCC states that the first prong was met years ago (currently at 95.5%), and the second prong was just met at 71.4% of American households receiving cable TV.
So, in essence, cable TV is using its influence on a member of congress to delete a law as soon as it becomes a hurdle to its evil ways. This is where we instruct you to call your representatives in Congress and tell them to vote against Blackburn’s bill, as it’s a vote for American consumers.
New bill would stop FCC’s cable regulation attempt [Ars Technica, with additional data from CNS]