WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In response to recent statements by pay TV providers objecting to fair compensation for the most-watched television programming, NAB Executive Vice President of Communications Dennis Wharton issued the following statement:
"Broadcasters sympathize with viewers used as pawns by Time Warner Cable, DISH Network and DirecTV in program carriage disputes. The fact is there are more than 5,800 pay TV systems across America.* Yet since 2000, just 0.3% of pay TV companies have EVER been involved in a program dispute resulting in a disruption of local television service.**
"It's no coincidence that Time Warner Cable, DISH and DirecTV are responsible for three out of every four retransmission consent disruptions in 2012. Rather than negotiate in the free market for the most popular programming on TV, this cozy pay TV cabal is manufacturing a phony crisis in hopes that Congress will fix a 'problem' that these companies are creating."
* Television & Cable Factbook 2012, Warren Communications News
** SNL Kagan
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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