FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 5, 2014
TVfreedom.org To The American Cable Association: Which Is It?
Is ACA Against Full A La Carte, or For It?
Washington, D.C. – In direct response to the ‘Local Choice’ proposal now being considered in Congress, TVfreedom.org today asked the American Cable Association (ACA) about why it flip flopped its policy position on the à la carte programming model and if its member cable systems are ready to administer broadcast TV programming to its customers on a flexible itemized pricing menu.
ACA has been the biggest champion of the Local Choice proposal despite the fact that the majority of its member cable systems continue to deliver television service on old analog systems that will make it more difficult and costly for them to administer broadcast TV programming on à la carte.
The TVfreedom.org letter highlights the fact that in 2008, ACA warned the FCC in a filing that, “Current technology costs make à la carte a financial impossibility for ACA member systems, the business model is entirely unproven, and no lawful basis exists for imposing regulated à la carte.”
TVfreedom.org spokesman Robert C. Kenny asks ACA leadership in the letter, “ACA’s flip flop on à la carte is worthy of an Olympic gymnastics medal. But which is it, Mr. Polka? Is ACA against full à la carte, or for it?” Kenny subsequently asks, “And speaking of ‘current technology costs’ that would be borne by ACA members implementing broadcast-only à la carte, would it still be a ‘financial impossibility’ for your member cable systems?”
To view TVfreedom.org’s open letter to ACA, please click here.
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Please also visit the TVfreedom.org YouTube web page to watch consumer-friendly videos aimed at pushing back on the pay-TV industry’s gamesmanship in the marketplace and the ongoing abusive billing and business practices hurting consumers.
About Us
TVfreedom.org, is a coalition of local broadcasters, community advocates, network television affiliate associations, multicast networks, manufacturers and other independent broadcaster-related organizations committed to helping protect consumer interests, ensure emergency and weather related programming access, promote the value of broadcast-TV programming, and preserve a fair and free video marketplace.