Here’s Why Cheaper Set-Top Boxes Are Vital for Minority Communities

A Federal Communications Commission proposal that cable companies allow customers to use their own set-top boxes, instead of forcing customers to rent these boxes from the cable companies themselves, is attracting significant support among racial diversity advocacy groups.

Alex Nogales, president and CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC), said that the proposal is the best way to make the price of TV more accessible to less affluent communities. In Nogales’ view, making set-top boxes more affordable would not only lead to a proliferation of Latino-oriented television programming, but would in turn would lead to a greater understanding of Latino culture among non-Latinos. “The state of media for minorities in this country is terrible,” Nogales said. “I’m paying over $150 per month for cable—what the hell am I getting for my money?” As an example, he cited the lack of television channels aimed at Latinos whose primary language is English. “There’s Fusion [a joint venture between Univision and ABC] and that’s it,” he said, noting that a significant percentage of Latinos in the US don’t speak Spanish at all. Nogales isn’t alone in his support of the FCC’s efforts.