Video Access Alliance Calls for Video Choice and Diverse Programming

Video Access Alliance Calls for Video Choice and Diverse Programming

WASHINGTON, May 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The Video Access Alliance hosted a forum today on Capitol Hill to discuss the importance of video choice and diverse programming. Dr. Randal Pinkett, President and CEO of BCT Partners and winner of NBC's "The Apprentice, 2005 with Donald Trump," moderated the forum where independent programmers presented videos to showcase the content offerings they provide consumers and discuss the limited video distribution channels that exist today. Members of the Video Access Alliance participating in today's event were: Black Education Network, The Horror Channel, ImaginAsian TV, The Tennis Channel, The Outdoor Channel, The America Channel, and The Employment & Career Channel.

Currently, Congress is considering legislation in both the House of Representatives and the Senate that would update the laws governing telecommunications in the United States and provide new and exciting video choice to consumers. Video choice, a major component of the legislation, can have a major and positive impact on all networks, including independent and minority networks. The Video Access Alliance is seeking to ensure that this legislation meets the needs of the fast growing sector of independent and minority networks.

"Members of the Video Access Alliance support video choice because it will empower entrepreneurs and independent talent trying to bring more choices in programming and increased access to their local neighborhoods that reflects today's diverse programming needs. All Americans should support these important reforms as a way to bring opportunity to underrepresented groups and to strengthen our economy through innovative new content and networks," said Julia Johnson, Chairperson of the Video Access Alliance. "We appreciate the fine work by members of Congress who are working to make video choice legislation a reality."

"We applaud the members of Congress whose hard work on this issue has brought consumers one step closer to the video choices they deserve," said Broderick Byers, Founder and CEO of the Employment and Career Channel. "An important aspect of ensuring our voice is heard is to allow more access to the video market. Current laws restrict the ability of new video players to enter the market, creating a barrier for independent and minority networks to have their content carried. This needs to be ended."

Current law allows local municipalities to erect numerous barriers to companies that wish to compete with current cable companies. This has the effect of making it much more difficult for smaller networks to find their market and prohibits consumers from the choices they deserve. Legislation being discussed in the House and the Senate would make it easier for new video entrants to join the video market.

"As the law now stands, it protects long-established networks and stifles smaller networks," said Doron Gorshein, CEO of America Channel. "By reforming existing video franchising laws, Congress can directly help independent and minority networks. With more video choices, consumers will be able to sample the wide array of independent and minority networks that exist."

Forum moderator Dr. Randal Pinkett is happy to be helping to get the word out about the importance of franchise reform to independent and minority networks: "These networks are the wave of the future. Congress needs to ensure that their emergence into the market is not stifled by anti-competitive laws. The more outlets are provided to these networks for delivery of their programming, the more competition is increased which results in more innovation and greater consumer choice."

The Video Access Alliance is a not-for-profit organization designed to serve as an advocacy and advisory group for independent, emerging and minority networks, content providers, independent film producers, video programmers, entertainers, and other industry participants.

Source: Video Access Alliance

CONTACT: Video Access Alliance, +1-800-539-1470,
media@videoaccessalliance.com

Web site: http://www.videoaccessalliance.org/

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