By Peter Altschuler Santa Monica
The city’s perspective on cable television is extremely duplicitous (SMDP, May 18, page 1).
While they trumpet the cause of the consumer, they have done virtually nothing over the years to rein in the increase in cable fees — both explicit and hidden — in a monopolized market.
While cable fees have risen as much as 300 percent over the past decade, the city’s oversight has been microscopic. When Adelphia touted several years ago that there would be no fee increase to consumers, they changed the programming lineup, instead, moving formerly standard channels to digital. The result was that though consumers were paying the same they were getting less. And to restore the channels they used to get for a basic rate, they had to upgrade to digital at a higher cost.
When I contacted the city, their response was, essentially, “Gee, really? You should write to them.” When I asked whether this hidden rate increase wasn’t within the city’s power to overrule, the answer was “no.”
So though Santa Monica claims that it’s looking out for its citizens’ best interests, it’s more likely trying to protect its multi-million dollar licensing income.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 30, 2006. Read the original PDF.