TV4US Commends FCC Decision to End Exclusive Cable Deals for Apartments

TV4US Commends FCC Decision to End Exclusive Cable Deals for Apartments

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- TV4US applauds the FCC for its decision today to put an end to exclusive contracts between cable companies and the owners of apartment buildings, which have led to skyrocketing prices and lackluster customer service for residents. The FCC's move is an acknowledgment of the many benefits that competition brings to consumers.

The FCC's ruling is expected to be especially beneficial to minority families, since 40 percent of households headed by Hispanics and African Americans live in apartment buildings. There is ample evidence that competition lowers prices: A recent survey by Bank of America found that in states where cable companies have to compete, prices for video service are between 28 percent and 42 percent lower than they are in states without competition.

In the last ten years, cable prices nationwide have increased by 93 percent, substantially outpacing inflation.

The FCC ruling is latest in a series of attempts by public officials to promote video competition. In the past two years, 17 states have revamped their video franchising rules to make it easier for competitors to challenge the cable monopolies.

"This ruling will finally give apartment residents a choice in their television service," said Lizanne Sadlier, Executive Director of TV4US. "They will finally be free from the stranglehold of the cable monopoly, with its rising prices and poor service."

"Competition not only benefits consumers in terms of cost savings, but it also brings more advanced technology, expanded access to broadband service, better customer service, investment in infrastructure and more jobs," said Sadlier. "Competition in cable service is sweeping the nation -- the end to high cable TV prices is in sight."

TV4US is a non-profit grassroots coalition made up of a diversified group of corporations, non-profit and non-governmental organizations -- representing hundreds of thousands of consumers across the country advocating for competition in the video service market.

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Source: TV4US

CONTACT: CONTACT Lizanne Sadlier of TV4US, Lizanne@sadlier.net

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