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DEL.ICIO.USYou had to expect it: Video franchise bill hits TV
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The first campaign ad of the ‘08 session of the state Legislature has hit the small screen. Sounds strange, doesn’t it?
The sponsoring group is called TV4US. They want passage of H.B.227, the statewide video franchise bill that would permit AT&T to use its phone lines to send TV programs and movies into your house. They’d be in direct competition with cable TV and satellite TV companies.
The TV ad draws a parallel with long-distance phone use, arguing that de-regulation resulted in lower prices.
The web site is www.wewanttvchoicega.com. A list of sponsors is provided, and it includes AT&T. The site has a quick tool for sending canned letters of support to members of the General Assembly. Here’s the text:
Dear Honorable Assemblyperson,
This session, you and your colleagues have the opportunity to take action on something that impacts millions of Georgians — choice in television service.
I am writing you today to encourage you to take action and give Georgians better television service at cheaper prices.
So far, eleven states, including North and South Carolina, have passed consumer-friendly reforms. In fact, over 93% of state lawmakers who have debated the issue in their states have voted in favor of video franchise reform legislation.
The benefits of video franchise reform are real: dramatically increased investment in our states’ infrastructure, better service for customers and an estimated $104 savings per household in the first year.
Please stand up and support House Bill 227.
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Comments
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By Michael
February 18, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this
Let the lobbying begin. Legislators bought and paid for by the AT&T lobbyists versus the legislators bought and paid for by entrenched, monopolistic cable lobbyists. Whom will our representatives sell us to now?
The People have already paid for the infrastructure, whether it be cable lines laid across the land or the telephone lines that either hang in our neighborhoods or burrow under our homes.
Realistically, though, competition within cable is only the precursor to consolidation.
By norman
February 22, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this
We have enough dictators aready and it’s time the people voiced their opinion and tell the hogs to butt ou tof our business and stopcharging higher prices for everything the people do unless they are going to pay us for our time on what we want and not to their demands.Butt out dictator.We have one bug dictator arlready and his name is ‘Bush”.
By Peggy
February 26, 2007 7:30 PM | Link to this
vote yesn HB227