Cable companies brace for new regulatory battles

Few issues make constituents write to members of Congress like losing access to their favorite TV or cable shows and, up until now, lawmakers have been all talk and no action. But a backlash to the blackouts may be coming.

In a series of hearings in the House and Senate, lawmakers are starting to look at video industry regulations and whether they need to be updated in the age of mobile devices, online video and cord cutters. The Senate Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on the 20-year-old Cable Act governing video services, and the polarizing views about what is and what isn’t wrong with the law will be on full display.

On one end of the spectrum, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) wants to deregulate cable and satellite providers, putting an end to government’s involvement in how broadcasters and pay-TV operators negotiate payments for carrying programming. “We should remove unnecessary government interference from a mature and increasingly competitive video marketplace,” said Sen DeMint. On the other side, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) -- chairman of the Communications, Technology and Internet Subcommittee -- sees a need for only minor revisions to protect viewers who want their MTV — and other programming.