Are You Kidding???
Broadcasters Claim Record TV Blackouts and Exploding Consumer Prices Show the System is “Working”
“The 12 million Americans who got blacked out and browbeaten by broadcasters for more money don’t think it’s working,” said Duffy.
Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) said in comments filed to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that “the retransmission consent market has finally begun to work.” Since 2010, fees charged by broadcasters have increased by 22,400 percent. The American Television Alliance (ATVA) pointed out recently that just this year, 1 out of 8 pay-TV providers has been affected by a broadcaster blackout.
The following statement can be attributed to Trent Duffy, ATVA National Spokesman:
“Once again, the NAB is trying to change the subject and distract policymakers and consumers in order to protect their monopolies. The fact is that there are at least 3 MVPDs in every market – and in many instances four providers – unlike the broadcast affiliates which operate as monopolies and hide behind government protections.
The 12 million Americans who got blacked out and browbeaten by broadcasters for more money don’t think it’s working. It’s no surprise that broadcasters think the current system is working when fees have skyrocketed 22,400 percent in 10 years. The current system is only working for broadcast executives who are lining their pockets with more cash while consumers are hit with higher costs and more blackouts. Congress asked the FCC to take a look at this issue for a reason: it’s broken.”
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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.