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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
January 14, 2000                             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.

                             -FCC-