Sens. to GAO: Study Access to Independent Programming

Sens Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Herb Kohl (D-WI) have asked the Government Accountability Office to investigate the state of independent programming, prompted by their concerns that media consolidation has squeezed out independent programmers. The Senators in their letter cited figures showing that while 50% of primetime programming was independently produced in 1989, only 18% of such programming is independently produced today. They argued in the letter that subscription video has not "come to fruition" as a competitive alternative for independents. Among the questions they want the study to address are: The sources of programming on television; Factors contributing to the current distribution of programming; The impact of consolidation, on independent programming and diversity; The degree to which the Internet has become an outlet for such programming and how much the major media companies "dominate" the most widely viewed sites; and What changes may need to be made to programming carriage laws and regulations.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6563030.html?rssid=193