Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Date:         Tue, 6 Oct 1992 18:36:19 CDT
From:         "(Barry Chalcroft)" <barryc@DEVNULL.MPD.TANDEM.COM>
Subject:      Re: SENATE TRIES TO OVERRIDE CABLE BILL VETO TODAY!

>	oh well, we take one more step down the path to socialism and allowing
>	government to interfere where they are not needed.

RAMBLE mode on:

What has regulation done for me? (before the Reagan/Bush era discouraged
 enforcement activities
on many fronts).

Clean air act, mandantory fuel efficiency and safety standards for automobiles,
 enviromental
regulations, OSHA, minimum wage laws, endangered species act, child labor laws,
 voting rights
act,  - all of your favorite laws and regulations.

Lets see what has deregulation done for me (some good, some bad).

Airline deregulation, satellite TVRO antenna deregulation - good business.

but there also is:

S&L / Bank deregulation - can you say RIP OFF?
Cable deregulation - can you say SCREW the consumer?

When a company like TCI (who owns my cable system / United Artists Cablevision)
 owns significant
stock in the programming suppliers (TNT,CNN,TBS...) AND says who can and can`t
 be on their systems
AND sets whatever rates they can (not withstanding local control...very little)
 AND controls the
TVRO programming prices I can`t see how a little control can`t hurt.

Ever wonder why the SCIFI channel isn`t on many cable systems? USA wants it to
 be a basic
(i.e. no charge) service while TCI want to charge us for it (extended basic
 service). The
answer when you call up the local cable comany is that they don`t have the room
 on their system.
We have two pay services and one shopping channel on the basic frequencies and 3
 PPV channels
(with no PPV except for wrestling and the Olymics) in the extended range. No
 room, bulls**t.
What they really mean is no profit.

> Some people act like TV is a necessity and needs to be protected from
 monopolistic practices.
> Face it, its not something we need like water or electricity.

True, but the cable / satcom companies are utilizing PUBLIC airwaves, satellites
 launched
primarily by US Government facilities, easements on private property, and a
 captive consumer
base protected by PUBLIC laws.


A common story I`ve heard:

Providers of satellite services have been forced to scramble their service just
 so TCI would
let the service be on its cable systems. Then TCI would sell us (the TVRO folks)
 access through
their programming subsidiary. Fact or fiction? Any comments?

If you think cable companies are going to do anything for the public good just
 to be nice you
are sadly mistaken. The only thing they care about is profit, the larger the
 better. The mostest
for the leastest.


RAMBLE mode off:
<Flame> protection mode on:

********************************************************************************
 ****************
Disclaimer:
***In no way does this represent the opinion of Tandem Computers, it is mine and
 mine alone. ***


Barry D. Chalcroft / N5NWI       Let`s start thinking about tomorrow...
EMAIL: barryc@mpd.tandem.com              *****************************
       76500.2177@compuserve.com         ****   Clinton/Gore `92  ****
       barryc@cactus.org                *****************************
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite