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FCC is Broken, Cable Group Chief Argues

Says government plays favorites, backs policies dooming his industry

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 14, 2007 11:44 PM CST
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(Newser) – The head of a cable television trade group bashed the head of the FCC today, accusing him of backing policies that “hurt the (cable) industry.” The issue causing most of the fuss, Broadcasting and Cable reports, is the proposed to mandate an a la carte pricing system, which would allow consumers to choose and pay individually for which channels they want.

In a conference call with reporters, Kyle McSlarrow also alleged that FCC chief Kevin Martin favors telecom companies over cable operators, and slammed the commission for leaking proposals to reporters before discussing with industry. The FCC denied the allegations, but noted consumer cable costs doubled from 1995-2005, when other industries saw price cuts. “The cable industry needs more competition,” a spokeswoman concluded.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin Martin speaks during a hearing on localism, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007, at the FCC headquarters in Washington. Federal regulators on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007, approved a rule that would ban exclusive agreements that cable television operators have with apartment buildings, opening up competition for...
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin Martin speaks during a hearing on localism, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007, at the FCC headquarters in Washington. Federal regulators on Wednesday, Oct....   (Associated Press)
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin J. Martin, left, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, in this Feb. 1, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin J. Martin, left, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, in this Feb. 1, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)   (Associated Press)
CN8's Carla Showell-Lee, left, interviews Teddy Pendergrass an advocate for people with spinal cord injuries in Philadelphia, Wednesday, May 9, 2007. Comcast and other cable operators such as Time Warner Cable, Cablevision Systems Corp. and Cox Communications Inc., are quietly expanding their local news coverage of the communities they serve,...
CN8's Carla Showell-Lee, left, interviews Teddy Pendergrass an advocate for people with spinal cord injuries in Philadelphia, Wednesday, May 9, 2007. Comcast and other cable operators such as Time Warner...   (Associated Press)
People walk by the Time Warner building, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007, in New York. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff)
People walk by the Time Warner building, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007, in New York. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff)   (Associated Press)
A sign bearing Comcast's name hangs in the lobby of its state headquarters in Sandy, Utah. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac, file)
A sign bearing Comcast's name hangs in the lobby of its state headquarters in Sandy, Utah. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac, file)   (Associated Press)
(AP Photo/Gregorio Marrero)
(AP Photo/Gregorio Marrero)   (Associated Press)
FCC Commissioner Tate feels the love in the PBS KIDS Sprout booth at the National Cable Show (NCTA) in Las Vegas, Monday May 7, 2007. Elmo and PBS KIDS Sprout's Banjo from the preschool network's new afternoon block The Let's Go Show give FCC Commissioner Tate a big smooch. (PRNewsFoto/PBS...
FCC Commissioner Tate feels the love in the PBS KIDS Sprout booth at the National Cable Show (NCTA) in Las Vegas, Monday May 7, 2007. Elmo and PBS KIDS Sprout's Banjo from the preschool network's new...   (Associated Press)
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McSlarrow disputes FCC data: says consumers paying less, watching more
CNET

Cable trade chief says FCC overstepping its authority
PC Magazine

FCC officials question chief's cable company data
Reuters

 
FCC • telecom industry • Kevin Martin • Kyle McSlarrow • National Cable and Telecommunications Association • cable operators • a la carte pricing

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