Frontier Communications Joins ATVA
Washington, D.C. – The American Television Alliance (ATVA) today added to its growing coalition of the country’s leading cable and satellite providers, independent programmers, and consumer groups with the addition of Frontier Communications as a member. Frontier joins ATVA following the addition of independent programmers RIDE TV, MAVTV, REVOLT, and Cinémoi.
Congressman Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA) recently reached an agreement on legislation to end television blackouts. Congress is currently considering the reauthorization of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELAR). As many as 870,000 satellite subscribers, many in the most rural areas of the country, will lose access to broadcast channels if Congress fails to reauthorize STELAR. Allowing STELAR to expire will also end the FCC’s authority to enforce its “good faith” rules in regard to retransmission consent.
“This is the latest sign that bipartisan momentum is growing to fix our broken retransmission consent system,” said Trent Duffy, ATVA spokesman.
“We look forward to working with the coalition to encourage Congress and the FCC to take action to protect consumers from skyrocketing retrans fees and TV blackouts,” Ken Mason, Senior Vice President, Federal Government Affairs for Frontier Communications.
In the last decade, Broadcasters have weaponized TV blackouts to cause maximum harm for consumers and maximize their own profit. In 2010 there were only 8 blackouts nationwide. In 2017, Broadcasters set an all-time record with 213 blackouts in a single calendar year, and in 2018 blackouts reached 165.
Major rules governing the U.S. media marketplace were first written in 1934 and last updated for the media in the 1992 Cable Act. These rules were written at a time when the Internet was still in its infancy and multiple streaming options didn’t exist.
TV Blackout Crisis: Over 1,000 Blackouts since 2010 as Broadcasters Rake in Billions from Viewers
Since 2010, millions of Americans have seen dark screens instead of watching their favorite channels due to an estimated 1,069 broadcaster-initiated blackouts. Blackouts have affected consumers in nearly every congressional district and media market across the U.S.
- 62 blackouts in 2019
- 165 blackouts in 2018
- 213 blackouts in 2017
- 104 blackouts in 2016
- 193 blackouts in 2015
- 94 blackouts in 2014
- 119 blackouts in 2013
- 90 blackouts in 2012
- 42 blackouts in 2011
- 8 blackouts in 2010
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American Television Alliance
The American Television Alliance (ATVA) brings together an unprecedented coalition of consumer groups, cable, satellite, telephone companies, and independent programmers to raise awareness about the risk TV viewers face as broadcasters increasingly threaten service disruptions that would deny viewers access to the programs they and their families enjoy.
For more information about ATVA, visit our website. Follow us on Twitter @ATVAlliance.
About Frontier Communications
Frontier Communications Corporation (NASDAQ:FTR) is a leader in providing communications services to urban, suburban, and rural communities in 29 states. Frontier offers a variety of services to residential customers over its fiber-optic and copper networks, including video, high-speed internet, advanced voice, and Frontier Secure® digital protection solutions. Frontier Business™ offers communications solutions to small, medium, and enterprise businesses. More information about Frontier is available at www.frontier.com.