TV4US Comments on the FCC's Annual Cable Industry Prices Report

TV4US Comments on the FCC's Annual Cable Industry Prices Report

ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- TV4US Executive Director Lizanne Sadlier released the following statement regarding the annual FCC Report on Cable Industry Prices (For full report see http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-206A1.pdf):

"Since 1995 the average cost of expanded basic cable has increased by 122.1 percent-nearly three times the rate of inflation. Facing little or no competition, the cable industry has historically been able to get away with such exorbitant rate hikes, but this report shows that those days are coming to an end. While basic cable prices rose a disappointing 5.1 percent since last January, the report found that in areas where competition exits, cable prices were 10.1 percent lower than in non-competitive communities.

"This is encouraging news, as cable competition is beginning to take hold throughout the U.S. New video service providers are entering many areas and finally bringing competition to consumers in 23 states thanks to state-wide video franchise reform. We hope in the future more and more consumers will have a choice in providers and experience the benefits of a competitive cable market.

"This report is a shocking reminder that it's time to put an end to runaway cable bills and welcome all the benefits of competition, including greater choice, competitive rates, new technology and improved customer service."

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. http://www.wewanttvchoice.com/

Source: TV4US

CONTACT: Lizanne Sadlier of TV4US, +1-202-855-5524,
lsadlier@wewantchoice.org

Web site: http://www.wewanttvchoice.com/

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