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good time to negotiate a bulk rate deal in yoru buiding with time warner and be really assertive about it them giving you an even larger discount than they might otherwise try to offer:
F.C.C. Set to End Sole Cable Deals for Apartments
By STEPHEN LABATON
Published: October 29, 2007
WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 —The Federal Communications Commission, hoping to reduce the
rising costs of cable television, is preparing to strike down thousands of contracts this
week that gave individual cable companies exclusive rights to provide service to an
apartment building, the agency's chairman says.
Kevin J. Martin, chairman of the F.C.C., says exclusive contracts between cable companies
and apartment buildings have contributed to the rapid rise in cable service prices.
The new rule could open markets across the country to far-ranging competition. It would
also be a huge victory for Verizon Communications and AT&T, which have challenged the
cable industry by offering their own video services. The two companies have lobbied
aggressively for the provision. They have been supported in their fight by consumer
groups, satellite television companies and small rivals to the big cable providers.
Commission officials and consumer groups said the new rule could significantly lower
cable prices for millions of subscribers who live in apartment buildings and have had no
choice in selecting a company for paid television. Government and private studies show
that when a second cable company enters a market, prices can drop as much as 30
percent.
may be no point in having a bulk dicount anymore... either that or you can bargain really hard wiht time warner now that you can have verizon come put in VIOS, etc.
Well Verizon FiOS is not available in my area yet and until it is there isn't anything I can do about it.
The FCC passed it today. Your existing exclusivity clauses are unenforceable. Time to go shopping.
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-277763A1.doc
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-277763A1.pdf
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News Media Contact:
October 31, 2007 Mary Diamond (202) 418-2388
FCC Adopts Rules to Increase Choice and Competition Among Video Providers for Consumers Residing in Multiple Dwelling Units
Washington, DC – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today adopted a Report and Order (Order) banning the use of exclusivity clauses for the provision of video services to multiple dwelling units (“MDUs”) or other real estate developments. The Order finds that nearly 30% of Americans live in MDUs and these numbers are growing.
With this proceeding, the Commission is taking another step to foster greater competition in the market for the delivery of multichannel video programming. These rules will increase choice and competition for consumers residing in MDUs and other real estate developments. In this Order, the Commission prohibits the enforcement or execution of existing exclusivity clauses and the execution of new ones by MVPDs subject to section 628 of the Communications Act. Specifically the Order finds that:
• exclusivity clauses that bar competitive entry harm competition and broadband deployment and can insulate the incumbent MVPD from any need to improve its service.
• exclusivity clauses are widespread in agreements between MVPDs and MDU owners.
• incumbent cable operators have increased the use of exclusivity clauses in their agreements with MDU owners with the entry of LECs into the video marketplace.
• the use of exclusivity clauses in contracts for the provision of video services to MDUs constitutes an unfair method of competition or an unfair act or practice under Section 628(b).
The Commission also adopted a Further Notice of the Proposed Rulemaking (Further Notice) that seeks comment on whether we should take action to address exclusivity clauses entered into by DBS providers, private cable operators, and other MVPDs who are not subject to Section 628. The Further Notice also seeks comment on whether the Commission should prohibit exclusive marketing and bulk billing arrangements.
Action by the Commission, October 31, 2007 by Report and Order (FCC 07-189). Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps, Adelstein and Tate with Commissioner McDowell concurring. Separate statements issued by Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, Tate and McDowell.
Hi, all--
My name is Frank Lovece, and you might have seen some of my stories in Habitat. I did the story on pet policies recently, for instance, and one on shoddy new construction, among others.
I need now to speak with board-members for A NEW STORY -- about how the FCC's recent strikedown of exclusive cable contracts may affect your building.
PLEASE CONTACT ME at franklovece@copper.net if you're interested in speaking with me by phone for 10-15 minutes Tues. or Wed., Nov. 6-7, for my story.
Thanks--
--Frank
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So Time Warner's hold on NYC is about to be challenged? People in my building have long complained about TWC's annual rise in fees and threatened to quit the cable service. Thank goodness we qualified for a bulk rate discount. Our shareholders will start saving money in December.
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