Publication Type: Statement
Date: 9/5/2008CONTACT: Rob Stoddard/Brian Dietz, 202-222-2350
“We would like to thank the Commission for granting this important exemption that provides cable operators necessary relief from the significant burdens that dual must carry requirements would have imposed on small cable systems. For the past three years, we’ve urged both Congress and the FCC to protect small cable systems from burdensome carriage requirements and are we are gratified that the Commission has approved this exemption. Cable operators are committed to making the nation’s broadcast digital TV transition a success and this exemption will help ensure that all cable customers will continue to be able to view broadcast signals after February 17, 2009.”
NCTA is the principal trade association for the U.S. cable industry, representing cable operators serving more than 90 percent of the nation's cable television households and more than 200 cable program networks. The cable industry is the nation’s largest broadband provider of high-speed Internet access after investing more than $130 billion to build a two-way interactive network with fiber optic technology. Cable companies also provide state-of-the-art digital telephone service to millions of American consumers.