Broadcast Group Pursues New Front in War With Pay TV

Group hopes to divert attention from retransmission consent reform

TVFreedom, a broadcast front group formed in response to the American Television Alliance, a cable and satellite front group, is leveraging consumer hatred of rising cable bills in a bid to derail the ongoing spat around broadcast retransmission fees.

Since the average consumer is less likely to suffer a retransmission-induced blackout than an increase in their cable bill, TVFreedom just might be onto something.

In a letter to eight consumer groups, TVFreedom cites Consumer Reports research that found that monthly cable and satellite TV bills have increased at double the rate of inflation in each of the past 15 years.

Typical of Washington maneuvering, many of the eight consumer groups that received TVFreedom's letter on Wednesday, such as Public Knowledge, Free Press, Consumer Action and Consumers Union, also have supported retransmission consent reform.

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