Public Issue – July 08, 2010

Member Story
Member Profile: Click! Network (Tacoma, WA) Click! Network competes against industry giants: Comcast Corp. and Qwest Communications on the ground and Dish Network and DirecTV in the sky, making the independent cable operator's hometown of Tacoma, Wash., one of the most competitive in the nation. The fruits of all that intense competitive pressure are evident every month when customers receive their bills in the mail. Read More / Comment on Story
Social Media
Are You Following ACA On Twitter Would you like to receive real-time news and information from ACA? ACA senior executives are regularly tweeting about issues important to ACA members and on other matters as they happen. To ensure that you're getting important information about our industry in real-time, follow Matt, Ross and Ted on your Twitter page: Tweets by Matt Polka, ACA President and CEO: RT@techdailydose: Rev. Jesse Jackson to Testify at Comcast-NBCU Hearing in Chicago: Rev. Jackson, prez of the Chicag... http://bit.ly/biSEyN RT@techdailydose Feds Announce Latest Round of Broadband Stimulus Projects: Pres. Obama announced 2day $795M in USDA... http://bit.ly/abo2DX RT @eggerton: DISH Sues FCC Over Noncom Mandatehttp://bit.ly/dyQzLM Tweets by Ross Lieberman, ACA VP of Government Affairs: Morning Bridge- US House Approps Comm rescinds $602 mill from NTIA & RUS broadband programs to help pay for Afgan War: http://bit.ly/aRrmvd Philly Inquirer- Critics fear Comcast-NBCU merger: http://bit.ly/cqqRl7 w/ top cable TV net ownership chart: http://bit.ly/aR2kbC RT @TedatACA: DISH Network files suit in Las Vegas against FCC to block PBS law http://bit.ly/9CkGHW Tweets by Ted Hearn, ACA VP of Communications: RT @JBFlint: Comcast in accord with ABC, CBS, Fox affilis. Do these things really have teeth? http://bit.ly/clyTdf Bloomberg: Comcast Tells FCC It Will Treat ABC, CBS, Fox Stations Fairly http://bit.ly/9mp91B GE CEO Jeff Immelt launches harsh broadside against President Obama http://bit.ly/ck9ffl
News Headlines
DISH Network files suit in Las Vegas against FCC to block PBS law (Las Vegas Sun, 07/01) Satellite TV company DISH Network Corp. sued the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday in a bid to block enforcement of a law requiring it to carry the high definition programming of public television stations around the country. House Appropriators Seek To Rescind Some Broadband Funds (National Journal, 07/01) As part of an effort to offset the costs of the fiscal year 2010 defense supplemental spending bill being debated Thursday on the House floor, the House Appropriations Committee proposed taking back $602 million in funds allocated for broadband grants as part of last year's economic stimulus plan, Nextgov.com reported. Dish Formally Asks To Get Back Into Distant-Signal Business (Multichannel News, 07/01) The Federal Communications Commission has received Dish Network's request to start delivering distant network-affiliated TV station signals. FCC Names Sicker As Chief Technologist (TV Technology, 07/01) Douglas Sicker is the new chief technologist of the Federal Communications Commission. House Accessibility Bill Heads To Full Panel (Multichannel News, 06/30) The House Communications Subcommittee Wednesday approved a bill that would put additional disability access requirements on broadcasters, cable operators, Web-video outlets and consumer-electronics companies. FCC Seeking Better Data (National Journal, 06/29) The FCC launched a new initiative Tuesday aimed at improving how it "collects, uses and disseminates" data, an effort that will be led by the agency's first chief data officer. Verizon Files Amended Access Complaint on MSG Nets (Broadcasting & Cable, 06/28) Verizon has asked the FCC to force Cablevision and Madison Square Garden to sell HD feeds of MSG Net and MSG Plus to Verizon for its FiOS MVPD service in the New York area. Update: White House Backs Federal Plan For More Airwaves For Smartphones, Wireless Broadband (The Washington Post, 06/28) The Obama administration announced Monday that it will double the amount of airwaves available for mobile broadband to meet the demands of smartphones and other wireless gadgets expected to explode in popularity. McCaskill And Genachowski Hold Broadband Forum In Missouri (BroadbandBreakfast.com, 06/28) On Friday Sen. Claire McCaskill and Federal Communication Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski held a community forum on broadband in Troy, Mo. Bloomberg Says Comcast Should Have To Sell CNBC (Philly.com, 06/27) There are many fears over the proposed merger of Comcast Corp. and NBC Universal Inc. But here's a new one - the cable company could monopolize the business-news market through its ownership of CNBC. For more news, visit the Headlines Page on the ACA website.
About ACA
Across this vast country, small and rural markets participate in the digital revolution by receiving video, broadband, and phone services from nearly 900 small and medium-sized independent operators represented by the American Cable Association (ACA). ACA’s members -- cable, phone, and fiber-to-the-home operators and municipalities -- deliver affordable basic and advanced services to about 7 million households and businesses. ACA members operate in every state, offering high-definition television, next generation Internet access, and digital phone service. Access to advanced communications is not a luxury but a critical necessity for consumers and companies, schools and hospitals. America’s economic prosperity in smaller markets and rural areas depends on the growth and success of ACA members, who believe a connected nation, is a united nation. The ACA asks lawmakers and regulators to ensure fair treatment so that small and medium-sized independent operators may continue to supply affordable video, broadband, and phone services to Main Street America. Through active participation in the policymaking process, ACA members and leaders advocate for the interests of their customers, their companies, and their communities to help ensure the continued viability of their way of life in hometown America. For more information, visit www.americancable.org, or contact: Ted Hearn, VP Communications (202) 713-0826 | thearn@americancable.org Ross Lieberman, VP Government Affairs (202) 494-5661 | rlieberman@americancable.org
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