New Legislation re: Cable A La Carte? Pay only for what you want... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Ireneparalegal · 12-07-2005, 11:54 PM

Cable By the Channel Favored
FCC Chairman Aims To Limit Indecency

By Arshad Mohammed
Washington Post Staff Writer

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin J. Martin yesterday said allowing consumers to buy cable channels individually, rather than in packages, might not be more expensive and would help protect children from indecent and violent programs.

Martin's comments were a warning to satellite and cable providers that if they fail to promote family-friendly viewing, Congress could consider imposing decency standards such as those that apply to over-the-air network broadcasts.

Jack Valenti, formerly of the Motion Picture Association of America, testifies yesterday before the Senate Commerce Committee. At left is Brent Bozell of the Parents Television Council; at right is FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin. (By Dennis Cook -- Associated Press)

The FCC chairman's remarks about "a la carte" pricing at a congressional hearing offered support for an idea fiercely opposed by the industry, which argues that this will raise consumer costs and ultimately limit TV choices.

Industry analysts said Martin's testimony would give ammunition to those who want to pass legislation requiring providers to sell channels individually, but added that such a step would face stiff political resistance.

Lawmakers regularly decry increasingly coarse content on TV, but they have been at a loss to enact laws to limit it, hemmed in by First Amendment protections and by a powerful entertainment industry lobby.

Martin was unusually blunt in faulting the industry for not doing enough to protect children.

"For the last three years, I have . . . been urging the cable and satellite industry to give parents more of the tools they need. Thus far, there has been too little response," Martin said at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing that included testimony by entertainment executives and anti-indecency groups.

"If cable and satellite operators continue to refuse to offer parents more tools such as family-friendly programming packages, basic indecency and profanity restrictions may be a viable alternative that should also be considered," he said. He also said he would prefer voluntary action by the industry.

In his testimony, Martin repudiated an FCC study released last year by his predecessor, Michael K. Powell, that found that a la carte pricing would raise consumer costs and would not be viable for the industry.

Martin said that study "relied on problematic assumptions and presented incorrect and at times biased analysis."

He said the agency's new study "concludes that purchasing cable programming in a more a la carte manner in fact could be economically feasible and in consumers' best interest."

Cable industry executives rejected the notion.

Ohio8 · 12-08-2005, 12:52 PM

I think it's a good idea! And BTW, the cable industry's full of (stuff).

Ireneparalegal · 12-09-2005, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohio8

I think it's a good idea! And BTW, the cable industry's full of (stuff).

Damn Straight!!!!

snl 70s show fan · 12-10-2005, 12:33 AM

i think its a good idea we are all sick of paying for channels we dont want i have no problem paying for just the things i want to see and i dont buy the cable industry argument about alacarte will limit viewer opitons they just want to keep charging sky high prices and giving rotten service plus lousy channels that none of us watch

Ireneparalegal · 12-10-2005, 12:35 AM

All of this is happening because there are parents who can't monitor 24/7 their children's programming and also they were tired of changing channels only to have provocative programming, adult oriented programming, etc. appear on a channel they assume is a 'safe' channel.

This is also for people who don't watch much t.v. some people just watch a few channels.

Mr. Television · 12-10-2005, 12:35 AM

Most of the channels I have I don't watch. A lot of them are garbage.

Mr. Television · 12-10-2005, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

All of this is happening because there are parents who can't monitor 24/7 their children's programming and also they were tired of changing channels only to have provocative programming, adult oriented programming, etc. appear on a channel they assume is a 'safe' channel.

This is also for people who don't watch much t.v. some people just watch a few channels.

and that would be the best tv rating system. Let the parents decide.

12-07-2005, 11:54 PM	#1
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	New Legislation re: Cable A La Carte? Pay only for what you want... Cable By the Channel Favored FCC Chairman Aims To Limit Indecency By Arshad Mohammed Washington Post Staff Writer Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin J. Martin yesterday said allowing consumers to buy cable channels individually, rather than in packages, might not be more expensive and would help protect children from indecent and violent programs. Martin's comments were a warning to satellite and cable providers that if they fail to promote family-friendly viewing, Congress could consider imposing decency standards such as those that apply to over-the-air network broadcasts. Jack Valenti, formerly of the Motion Picture Association of America, testifies yesterday before the Senate Commerce Committee. At left is Brent Bozell of the Parents Television Council; at right is FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin. (By Dennis Cook -- Associated Press) The FCC chairman's remarks about "a la carte" pricing at a congressional hearing offered support for an idea fiercely opposed by the industry, which argues that this will raise consumer costs and ultimately limit TV choices. Industry analysts said Martin's testimony would give ammunition to those who want to pass legislation requiring providers to sell channels individually, but added that such a step would face stiff political resistance. Lawmakers regularly decry increasingly coarse content on TV, but they have been at a loss to enact laws to limit it, hemmed in by First Amendment protections and by a powerful entertainment industry lobby. Martin was unusually blunt in faulting the industry for not doing enough to protect children. "For the last three years, I have . . . been urging the cable and satellite industry to give parents more of the tools they need. Thus far, there has been too little response," Martin said at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing that included testimony by entertainment executives and anti-indecency groups. "If cable and satellite operators continue to refuse to offer parents more tools such as family-friendly programming packages, basic indecency and profanity restrictions may be a viable alternative that should also be considered," he said. He also said he would prefer voluntary action by the industry. In his testimony, Martin repudiated an FCC study released last year by his predecessor, Michael K. Powell, that found that a la carte pricing would raise consumer costs and would not be viable for the industry. Martin said that study "relied on problematic assumptions and presented incorrect and at times biased analysis." He said the agency's new study "concludes that purchasing cable programming in a more a la carte manner in fact could be economically feasible and in consumers' best interest." Cable industry executives rejected the notion.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

12-10-2005, 12:35 AM	#6
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Most of the channels I have I don't watch. A lot of them are garbage.
	__________________ Sonny

12-08-2005, 12:52 PM	#2
Ohio8 Member Forum Star Join Date: Jul 29, 2003 Location: Wherever you aren't. Posts: 18,966	I think it's a good idea! And BTW, the cable industry's full of (stuff).

12-10-2005, 12:33 AM	#4
snl 70s show fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 14, 2005 Location: in the forman basment Posts: 2,454	i think its a good idea we are all sick of paying for channels we dont want i have no problem paying for just the things i want to see and i dont buy the cable industry argument about alacarte will limit viewer opitons they just want to keep charging sky high prices and giving rotten service plus lousy channels that none of us watch