Vermont Senator Wants Low-Cost Cable

Sen Bernard Sanders (I-VT) is about to introduce legislation that would require cable operators to provide local TV signals at a reduced cost indefinitely to people who lose over-the-air TV service as a result of the digital transition next February. The bill would establish the criteria for determining who had lost free TV signals and is thus eligible to buy a lifeline service that consisted solely of local TV signals. Money remaining from the federal government's $1.5 billion converter box coupon program might be used to cover a portion of equipment installation costs. The bill would attempt to keep the basic cable price at $10 a month or less, similar to Comcast's recently announced DTV transition promotion that expires after one year.