Polka: Viacom's 'Retaliatory' Web Move Raises Openness Issues

American Cable Association President Matt Polka says Viacom's denial of access to its websites by broadband Internet subscribers of Cable One and others is a violation of Internet openness that should raise warning flags in Washington.

Cable One dropped 15 cable networks April 1, and Viacom then decided that its programming would "no longer be available to Cable One customers in any form." Polka said that broadband Internet customers of both Cable One and Liberty Cablevision of Puerto Rico are being denied access to Viacom websites, including customers who have cut the cord on traditional video.

“Viacom’s actions are a flagrant attack on Internet openness and a textbook replay of the vengeful action CBS took against Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks broadband customers during their well-documented retransmission consent dispute last August," said Polka. “All who care about ensuring access to content on the Internet should be outraged that Viacom is selectively blocking access to its public websites by broadband Internet subscribers served by smaller cable companies."