Small cable firms want transparency on retransmission negotiations

A group representing smaller cable operators is calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to impose transparency requirements on TV station owners that coordinate their retransmission consent negotiations in order to expose potential price-fixing.

“The public needs to know whether broadcasters are trying to eliminate competition in local markets through collusion and drive up the prices pay-television providers pay to deliver free, over-the-air television to their customers,” said American Cable Association President Matthew Polka. The ACA argues coordinated negotiations between separately owned broadcasters in the same market violate the FCC's media ownership rules, reduce competition in local TV markets and lead to higher bills for consumers. (Dec 27)