McCain Comments FCC for Taking Steps to Provide Consumers More Control Over Their Cable Television Bill

Statement

McCAIN COMMENDS FCC FOR TAKING STEPS TO PROVIDE CONSUMERS MORE CONTROL OVER THEIR CABLE TELEVISION BILL

U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today released the following statement regarding the Federal Communications Commission's decision last night to open a proceeding to study the practice where some cable television companies are required to purchase and carry undesired channels in return for the ability to carry popular channels, thereby providing consumers only one option, to purchase large packages of numerous cable channels, precluding consumers from buying channels on an individual basis:

"I applaud the FCC for its decision to open a proceeding that I hope will lead to consumers being given more choice and greater control over their television viewing options. Hopefully, consumers will soon have the ability to buy from their cable providers only the channels they watch and are willing to invite into their homes for viewing. I have long advocated for channels to be made available on an a la carte basis in addition to packaged services, and will continue to do so," McCain said.

Currently, many programming contracts require cable systems take less-popular or new channels to get "must-haves," such as ESPN, CNN or NBC. This results in many consumers on a tight budget having to buy large packages of channels at an added expense, and many families having to buy channels that may carry programming they find unsuitable for family viewing.

"Consumers should not have to pay for channels they find distasteful or they do not watch," McCain said.

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