Video Access Alliance Commends Senate Commerce Committee Passage of Video Choice Legislation

Video Access Alliance Commends Senate Commerce Committee Passage of Video Choice Legislation

Panel Lauded for Opening Cable TV Market, Giving Consumers Greater Choice

WASHINGTON, June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers today moved another step closer toward gaining greater choice, competitive rates and new innovation in television service as the Senate Commerce Committee passed The Communications, Consumers' Choice and Broadband Deployment Act of 2006.

"We applaud the fine work of the Committee, particularly Senator Ted Stevens, on video choice legislation as well as the overall goals of The Communications, Consumers' Choice and Broadband Deployment Act," said Julia Johnson, Video Access Alliance chairman. "We ask Senate leadership to bring this important legislation to the floor for a vote as soon as possible."

"This legislation will bring great benefits to consumers through more choices, better technology infrastructure and reduced rates -- an average of 15 percent savings, according to the General Accounting Office."

Current laws related to video franchising have not been updated since 1996, and advances in technology have made them obsolete.

"Video choice will empower entrepreneurs and independent talent trying to bring more choices in programming," noted Johnson. "It will better reflect the needs of local neighborhoods and provide more diverse programming. 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."

This legislation streamlines the nation's communications laws and speeds entry of new competitors into the cable television market. The House of Representatives has already passed similar legislation, The Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006.

The bill now moves to the Senate for a full vote.

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, video programmers, entertainers and other industry participants by focusing on policies that encourage rapid and ubiquitous deployment and utilization of new and innovative video distribution platforms.

Source: Video Access Alliance

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

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