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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 14, 2000 |
NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Michelle Russo (202) 418-2358 | |
PRESS STATEMENT OF FCC CHAIRMAN WILLIAM E. KENNARD REGARDING THE FCC’S SIXTH ANNUAL VIDEO COMPETITION REPORT
The Federal Communication Commission’s annual report on video competition finds that cable television remains the dominant provider of video services. Americans still need more competition and choice in multichannel video. Competition is the best way to reduce cable rates for consumers.
I am encouraged by the growth of competition to cable on a number of fronts, including wireless cable, cable overbuilders, and open video service providers, among others.
The satellite industry currently offers the most meaningful competition to cable. I am pleased that late last year Congress gave satellite carriers the authority to offer local broadcast stations to their customers. The FCC is aggressively implementing this new legislation, well ahead of the timetables set by Congress, because it gives consumers more choice among video providers and promotes fair competition in a market that historically has been dominated by a single provider. I have long supported this change in the law and I believe it is one of the most significant developments discussed in this year’s annual competition report.
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