The Fight Over Your TV Set

THE FIGHT OVER YOUR TV SET
[SOURCE: San Francisco Chronicle, AUTHOR: Editorial Staff]
[Commentary] An editorial in favor of California video franchising legislation. The measure would give phone giants such as AT&T and Verizon permission to use their wires statewide to offer video alongside cable firms, who now control the market. The Chronicle paints a picture of two goliaths -- cable and telephone companies -- fighting. There's some caution about 1) cities losing the franchise fees they negotiated and other features such as local programming or construction schedules and 2) red-lining poor areas by concentrating service in wealthier areas. But the Chronicle concludes: "What's significant is the competition that a cable-versus-phone rivalry can mean to this household expense. Consumers have watched as the merger and technology game played out, and now it's time to collect the benefits."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/0...