The TV4US ads

[toby]

Anyone have any idea who really is behind the TV4US ads.
The website http://wewantchoice.com lists the following as "Coalition Members":
AC Data Systems Inc.
Actiontec Electronics Inc.
The America Channel
Asian Business Association
Asian Women In Business
AT&T
BTECH Inc.
Center for Individual Freedom
Charles Industries
Condux International
Construction Industry Roundtable
Coastcom
Frontiers of Freedom
Hammerhead Systems Inc.
Independent Technologies Inc.
Japanese American Citizens League
Leapstone Systems Inc.
MRV Communications, Inc.
National Black Chamber of Commerce
National Association of Manufacturers
National Association of Neighborhoods
National Taxpayers Union
Northstar Communications Group. Inc.
NSG America
Optical Entertainment Network
Prysmian Communications Cables and Systems USA
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
SNC Manufacturing Co. Inc.
The Citizenship Foundation
The Latino Coalition
White Rock Networks Inc.
Women Presidents' Organization

However, I wonder if there is a puppet master, behind it.

 

[arnoldevns]

There's no mystery about this website or ad campaign. AT&T and other phone companies (like Verizon) want to get into the cable TV business. I believe the legislation they are supporting in congress would let them do that all over the country without having to apply for local franchise agreements. They would essentially get a franchise agreement for the whole country and could put their service anywhere they want. Obviously they'd have to abide by local ordinances on where they can dig for cable, but they couldn't be prevented from supplying cable TV service in any community.

Comcast and the other cable companies are fighting this tooth and nail. Verizon has started to roll out their service in Texas and a few other states. It is my understanding that in areas where Verizon has started service, the cable companies are losing 20-30% of their subscribers.

I can say from personal experience that Verizon's service is better and cheaper than Comcast. Furthermore, as soon as I left Comcast, they called (several times) offering to give me the same channel package I had before for a lot less money. I said no.

Comcast should learn that if they just cut their prices to start with, they won't lose so many customers. I suspect Comcast will soon have no choice but to start restructuring all their pricing plans to match what Verizon offers. Either that, or they'll just close up shop in this area.

 

[dhett]

Theoretically, it should be true - cable competition should lower costs. But the funny thing is, on wewantchoice.com's national map showing the increase in cable TV rates, Phoenix has one of the highest rate increases listed. And we have competition. Cox is the dominant provider, but the local phone company, Qwest, also offers cable TV services. I'm not sure if they're in every community, but I know they're in mine. So while competition is always desirable, it's not a panacea for rising cable rates.

Does anybody know why cable TV was set up with its current licensing structure, where each municipality licenses cable service? Was it because of local regs on digging or for some other reason?

 

[BDBopper]

I've never heard of this ad campaign before. Is this about deregulating Cable TV and how cable TV companies can operate? If so than I am all for it.

 

[arnoldevns]

So while competition is always desirable, it's not a panacea for rising cable rates.

Does anybody know why cable TV was set up with its current licensing structure, where each municipality licenses cable service? Was it because of local regs on digging or for some other reason?

Right you are. There is no panacea for anything. However, competition is the only way cable rates may come down in any area. Think of where we'd be today if we didn't have satellite as one option? We sure wouldn't have "dump the dish" deals from Comcast.

You are right about the reason for cable television's current licensing structure. It also used to be a huge benefit for cable companies. Even though they were subjected to all kinds of restrictions by the local authorities, it was more than made up for by the fact that they were assured of being a monopoly. That's no longer the case.