Released: October 31, 2007

FCC likely to end exclusive cable deals

Source: Kim Hart, Washington Post (Free Registration)

When several Loudoun County neighborhoods were built five years ago, a Dulles company won long-term exclusive contracts to provide cable service to hundreds of residents.

At the time, OpenBand Multimedia was the only company willing to invest millions of dollars to bring cable service to less-populated areas. Some residents want a choice now that Verizon Communications and others are offering competing TV services, but they’re locked into a contract that could last decades.

The Federal Communications Commission is set today to ban such contracts between cable TV providers and the owners of apartment buildings, condominium complexes and planned subdivisions. Banning exclusive agreements could help promote competition and reduce cable rates for an estimated 100 million consumers, FCC members said in interviews.

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