Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin Martin is back on the congressional griddle, defending his ideas about cable regulation policies to skeptical lawmakers, including Rep. Anna
Eshoo, a California Democrat who presented him a list of what she thinks are his anti-cable efforts. Eshoo says she doesn't know what the industry did to upset Martin, but he needs to explain it.
The Congresswoman is troubled over various Martin stances, including his push for "a la carte" programming; eradication of exclusive contracts between cable companies and multi-unit
dwellings; and cuts in the leased-access rates cable operators can charge. Martin counters that his efforts are consumer-friendly, help minorities and are a response to the "dramatic increase in cable
rates compared to every other sector the commission regulates."
He says that "the reason why I am concerned about cable is that I believe consumers are concerned about cable: 80% of
consumers say they think they are paying too much. I believe we need to do something about the ever-expanding cable rates."
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