Follow on Google News News By Tag * Shenandoah Cable Television Company * Shentel * WJLA * Allbritton * Retransmission Consent * Price Gouging * Small Cable * More Tags... Industry News News By Place Country(s) Industry News
Follow on Google News | American Cable Association Issues Statement In Support Of Shentel In Dispute With Allbritton's WJLAACA President and CEO Matthew M. Polka supports Shenandoah Cable Television Company (Shentel) in connection with a retransmission consent complaint filed last Thursday with the Federal Communications Commission by TV station WJLA in Washington, D.C.
"Based on the facts presented to the FCC, it's quite apparent that Allbritton has hurled frivolous allegations at Shentel, which bravely decided to resist this broadcaster's effort to extract huge amounts of money for carriage of its ABC signal. After reviewing all the evidence, including email exchanges in their proper context and sequence, an impartial judge could only conclude that Allbritton filed an FCC complaint because it did not like the outcome of a fair negotiation that Shentel conducted in good faith, as required by law. "Allbritton's attempt to gouge Shentel customers was unsuccessful, an outcome rarely seen in an economy saturated with anticompetitive conduct by broadcasters, highlighted by coordinated retransmission consent negotiating by same-market, separately owned TV stations determined to gain maximum bargaining leverage over smaller pay-TV providers. "This unfortunate episode was brought on by Allbritton's own internal mismanagement. It could have been avoided had policymakers embraced long ago ACA's position that retransmission consent laws and regulations are outdated and that Congress and the FCC have to craft a new system that minimizes breakdowns in negotiations and maximizes the public interest." About the American Cable Association: # # # ACA supports independent cable operators and their customers by promoting a legislative and regulatory environment that allows for a fair and competive marketplace and by providing the tools and information our members need to compete effectively End
Account Email Address Account Phone Number Disclaimer Report Abuse
|
|