LOS ANGELES (November 28, 2007) – As the Federal Communications Commission continues to discuss potential changes in how cable is regulated based on the number of U.S. subscribers, the Parents Television Council™ issued the following statement:

“The FCC and Congress need to listen to American families and consumers rather than to the banter of Washington power brokers and lobbyists for the cable industry.  Some members of Congress have spoken out against the FCC’s rightful attempt to interpret existing federal law that would change the status quo within the cable industry for the benefit of families, consumers and minorities.  Interestingly enough, many of those members are taking large campaign contributions from the cable industry, led by Rep. Joe Barton of Texas whose biggest contributor coincidentally happens to have the most at risk: Comcast.  The fact that members of Congress are willing to spend their time serving as a mouthpiece for the cable industry rather than speaking out on behalf of their own constituents is beyond disappointing,” said PTC President Tim Winter.

“As the discussion continues, the PTC lauds Chairman Martin for his leadership on the issue of cable choice and for his determination to hold the cable industry accountable to existing federal law. We also encourage the FCC to seek independent research on cable subscriber numbers that will be pivotal in determining whether the so-called 70/70 threshold has been met, rather than allowing the cable industry to do its own Enron-type accounting.

“It’s time for the FCC and Congress to recognize the hypocrisy of the cable cabal. By leveraging the lack of regulation into overwhelming market power, the cable industry functions as a cartel - forcing customers to buy channels and underwrite content they don’t want, don’t watch, and may find offensive or even harmful. The PTC calls on the FCC and our elected officials to look though the self-serving spin being pumped by the cable industry’s multi-million dollar lobbying machine and recognize the reality of the market. They need look no further than the newsstand to see how vibrant and diverse media can be if customers get to vote with their wallets. Consumers, families and organizations ranging from the National Religious Broadcasters to the Consumers Union have spoken out in favor of cable choice. Clearly, true cable competition won’t exist until consumers have choice,” Winter concluded.

For more information on the PTC’s cable choice initiative, please visit the interactive website www.HowCableShouldBe.com.