ATVA statement on FCC Proposed Rule

Washington, D.C. March 6, 2014– In response to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s blog post today, the American Television Alliance issued the following statement:

Today’s announcement is great news for American consumers. These dubious arrangements result in skyrocketing retransmission consent fees and consumer blackouts.

When broadcast companies using the public airwaves are allowed to collude on retransmission consent negotiations they drive up costs for consumers and increase the harm of multiple station blackouts in local markets, depriving consumers of the very emergency alerts that broadcasters claim are so vital.  Collusion and blackouts are contrary to serving the public interest and the polar opposite of the “free market.”  We applaud this action and urge the full Commission to approve this measure on March 31.