Knock, Knock...Sen. DeWine? Can We Come In?

As the Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee gears up for a hearing on the state of competition in the cable TV sector, representatives of video satellite providers and other pay-television rivals of the cable industry have been feeling more than a bit left out. Over the past couple of weeks, lobbyists for satellite and other cable industry rivals have argued to committee aides that someone from their sectors should be allowed to testify at the hearing, titled “Video Competition In 2005 ­ More Consolidation Or New Choices for Consumers?” But none of the cable company competitors have been invited to appear. Among the issues that have been raised by cable rivals -- such as DirecTV and RCN Corp. -- is the price that some of the larger cable companies charge rivals for access to regional sports games. Sports are considered must-have programming for any pay TV service, and both Comcast and Time Warner have made deals with local sports teams to control access to games across the country.
[SOURCE: National Journal's Insider Update, AUTHOR: Bara Vaida]