Video Access Alliance Chairperson Testifies Before Senate Commerce Committee and Urges Congress to Focus on Cable TV Neutrality

Video Access Alliance Chairperson Testifies Before Senate Commerce Committee and Urges Congress to Focus on Cable TV Neutrality

Says Video Franchise Reform Would Help Consumers & Promote Programming Diversity

WASHINGTON, May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Julia Johnson, chairperson of the Video Access Alliance (VAA), testified today before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

The Video Access Alliance, a not-for-profit organization, is dedicated to promoting policies that encourage rapid deployment of innovative new video platforms for independent, emerging and minority networks, content providers, programmers, entertainers, and other industry participants. The coalition consists of entrepreneurs and executives from several different independent networks, including MultiChannel Ventures, The Employment & Career Channel, The America Channel, The Tennis Channel, Black Education Network, and ImaginAsian TV.

Johnson applauded the committee's efforts, and asked them to "continue to make video franchise reform, and the legislation that is the subject of this hearing, a priority this year" because "consumers are entitled to more competition, greater choice, lower prices and more diversity. Delay in passage of video franchise legislation would mean millions in lost savings to consumers and could cripple independent networks."

Ms. Johnson further stated that, "creating an environment that allows for rapid investment in and deployment of new video platforms will have a compounding consumer benefit. Competition will lead the underlying video distribution networks to lower their prices. Additionally, with real content competition, there will be a need for networks to distinguish their offerings -- which will allow for more diverse and higher quality content. Furthermore, competition in programming will lead to more competitively priced programming. The result will be extraordinary savings for consumers, higher quality programming and greater choice."

Further, Johnson urged Congress to focus on "Cable TV neutrality" by pointing out that "the best way to ensure diversity of information sources, lower prices for cable TV, higher quality programming and more consumer choice is to create an environment that allows for the rapid deployment of more platforms and greater competition -- which will also create more competition in the content space."

Johnson concluded her testimony by reminding the committee that "minority consumers have been shown in recent studies to spend more on media products and services than other demographics" and that "a market-drive solution, coupled with the redlining safeguards included in the legislation, provides the best solution to ensure all consumers benefit from video franchise reform."

The Video Access Alliance, a not-for-profit organization, dedicated to serving as an advocacy and advisory group for independent, emerging and minority networks, video programmers, application and content creators and other industry participants.

Source: Video Access Alliance

CONTACT: Julia Johnson of the Video Access Alliance, +1-800-539-1470

-------
Profile: intent