WASHINGTON, D.C.– In response to a letter to the FCC from Mediacom, the following statement can be attributed to NAB Executive Vice President of Communications Dennis Wharton:
"According to BIA Kelsey, the broadcast television business as of April 2013 was receiving 7.3 percent of all revenues from retransmission consent. Contrary to the ludicrous Mediacom claim, that hardly constitutes an 'addiction' to retransmission revenues.
"Moreover, a significant portion of this revenue is reinvested in local station news operations, allowing TV stations to provide news coverage of events like the Colorado floods and DC Navy Yard shootings that is later retransmitted by cable news operations.
"Finally, we repeat the truism that there is indeed no such thing as a 'blackout' of broadcast TV programming. Our programming is always on, and always available to viewers on multiple platforms, including free to over-the-air antenna households.
"If Mediacom, Time Warner Cable and others in the pay TV world truly cared about consumers, they would stop ripping off viewers by charging for services not provided during a retrans impasse and end the outrageous practice of $200 early termination fees."
About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.
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