Alert: Senator Mccain on new cable tv options.

McCain bill backs 'a la carte' cable menu

Industry and local government officials critical of proposal


Cable companies that offer channels on an individual basis rather than in packages would receive a break on local franchise fees and requirements under legislation
introduced Wednesday by Sen. John McCain.

The Arizona Republican's bill would allow cable operators
that offer channels on an "a la carte" basis to be
eligible to receive a nationwide franchise, which allows a cable
provider to avoid negotiations on a city-by-city basis.
Cable companies also would pay lower fees for rights of
way and not be required to offer as many public access channels.

"For almost 10 years I have supported giving consumers the ability to buy cable channels individually . . . to provide consumers with more control over the viewing options
in their home and their monthly cable bill," McCain
said in a statement. "Cable companies have resisted this and have continued to give consumers all the 'choice' of a North Korean election ballot."

The proposed legislation immediately drew fire not
only from the cable industry but from local government officials, who could stand to lose millions in franchise
fees that typically are used to fund essential city
services such as police and sanitation.

see more at..............

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/tech/article/0,2777,DRMN_23910_4758516,00.html

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