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Georgia Cable Association Asks Congressional Delegation to Take Action

ATLANTA, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Refusal by Sinclair
Broadcasting Group, Inc. (SBGI) to allow Mediacom Communications
Corporation (MCCC) to carry 22 Sinclair broadcast channels in 12 states,
including Georgia, has created an inconvenience for Mediacom cable
television customers in Georgia, according to Nancy Horne, President of the
Cable Television Association of Georgia (CTAG).
    Earlier this month, Sinclair refused to grant Mediacom permission to
continue carrying WTWC, an NBC affiliate, in several Georgia cable
television markets, including Thomasville, Bainbridge, Valdosta, and other
cities served by Mediacom, according to Ms. Horne.
    Nationwide over two million viewers remain unable to view the off-air
signals of Sinclair on Mediacom's cable systems. Meanwhile, the FCC sits on
the sidelines and refuses to take meaningful action to motivate Sinclair to
either negotiate in good faith or arbitrate the dispute, while Mediacom and
their customers continue to suffer during this disruption.
    Mediacom's dispute is currently under appeal at the FCC. This appeal
will require a review by all of the Commissioners of the January 4, 2007
Order of the Media Bureau. Mediacom filed this appeal promptly and
requested expedited treatment. Once the full Commission has reviewed the
matter and issued a decision, it is likely that the non-prevailing party
will pursue its right of judicial appeal, resulting in a lengthy process.
The FCC needs to protect the viewers during this process, and possesses
broad and ample authority under the Communications Act to protect the
public interest.
    In the South Georgia markets served by Mediacom, the loss of the WTWC
signal has not had as big an impact on consumers as the loss of signals in
other markets, primarily because the NBC network programming is also
available on another channel. In this case, despite not adding much value
to customers, Sinclair is requiring Mediacom to carry WTWC, and to pay a
price equivalent to the price paid in other markets. Clearly Sinclair's
tactics will lead to higher prices for these consumers, without providing
any incremental value.
    One reason WTWC is not valued by the local customers is that Baltimore
based Sinclair, has not provided local news, weather, sports or any unique
programming for the local market. In contrast, Mediacom has invested
hundreds of millions of dollars to upgrade its cable system in Rural
Georgia, and now provides a total package of Broadband services to all
customers in South Georgia.
    Today, CTAG calls on the entire Congressional Delegation from the State
of Georgia to follow the lead of Congressmen Nathan Deal and Charlie
Norwood, and ask the Energy and Commerce Committee to "conduct hearings to
explore how the market for video services can be improved," and "reexamine
retransmission consent requirements and other programming practices
considered anti- competitive and harmful to the consumer."
    The Cable Television Association of Georgia (CTAG) is a state trade
association for the cable television industry. CTAG provides membership
services in a variety of areas to cable television companies serving some
2.2 million customers in Georgia, including representation at the State and
Federal Government.
 

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