NCTA: Leave Leased-Access and Program-Sales Model Alone

NCTA: LEAVE LEASED-ACCESS AND PROGRAM-SALES MODEL ALONE
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin said last week that he thought the FCC should: 1) re-examine leased-access rules "to better encourage independent programmers,” 2) lower cable leased-access rates as a way to help minorities get more access to media outlets, and 3) unbundle cable programming at the wholesale level. On the same day, in comments filed at the FCC, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association said: A) subscription fees are "critical" to the viability of independent programming services, B) comments from Black Television News Channel point out that "leased access does not support the development of independent national programming," C) cable operators aren't necessarily being compensated sufficiently as it is for the logistics of leasing capacity, and D) there is plenty of competition that provides the spur to cable operators' choice of what channels to deliver to its audience.
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