Meredith's Munson: Broadcasting Is Foundation Of Video Distribution

Ed Munson, VP and GM of KPHO-TV in Phoenix, plans to carry the National Association of Broadcasters' message about who it says is to blame for retransmission blackouts to the House Communications Subcommittee, according to prepared testimony for a Sept 11 video regulation hearing.

Munson plans to tell the committee that it is not coincidence that three companies -- Time Warner Cable, Dish and DirecTV -- have been involved in nearly nine out of 10 retransmission disputes over the past two years. "Broadcasting is still the fundamental foundation of video distribution in the United States," said Munson. "Cable operators built their businesses on the backs of broadcasters and for years have raised their subscription prices well beyond the rate of inflation. And at the end of the day, for families that would rather pay for food than CNN, local broadcast stations provide a high-quality news and entertainment alternative at the ultimate bargain price -- free."