ATVA Applauds House Energy & Commerce Committee for Putting Consumers First in Video Marketplace Hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Television Alliance (ATVA) issued a statement following the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s hearing titled “Lights, Camera, Subscriptions: Assessing the State of the Video Marketplace,” to address the outdated broadcast regulations exploited by broadcasters that impede innovation and cost American consumers.

“The American Television Alliance was pleased by the Energy and Commerce Committee’s decision to examine the video marketplace and the drastic changes it has experienced in the more than three decades since retransmission consent was created,” said ATVA spokesperson Cora Mandy.

“With numerous ways to access their favorite programming, consumers are living in the golden age of television, however the retransmission consent regime is a relic in the modern marketplace that harms PayTV consumers through broadcasters’ exorbitant pricing and carriage demands that drive increased costs, unwanted channels, and blackouts.”

“We are encouraged by lawmakers’ acknowledging the dramatic changes in the marketplace and encourage them to take the next step and begin to discuss and debate modernizing these outdated regulations. ATVA is committed to working with Congress to modernize video rules and ensure American consumers have affordable access to robust and diverse programming.”