Media Ownership


		Overview 2006 Ownership Review 2002 Ownership Review and Prometheus Ruling Press Releases, Statements & Articles MAP Ownership Filings Support MAP's Efforts

MAP Ownership Filings

Please Note: Most filings are available for download in PDF (Portable Document Format). These can be opened with the Adobe Acrobat Reader which is free to download.

MAP Reasserts FCC's Authority to Ensure Video Programming Diversity

April 25, 2006 On behalf of a public interest coalition, MAP issued reply comments reasserting the FCC's authority, under Section 612, to ensure diversity of information sources in video programming. MAP's filing defended the published data used as evidence that the 70/70 criteria had been met. MAP also cited the plain language and legislative history surrounding the provision as evidence of the intention to grant FCC such broad authority to ensure diversity.

Read the Section 612 Reply

MAP Urges FCC to Enforce Video Programming Diversity Using "70/70" Test Provision

April 3, 2006 MAP filed comments on behalf of a public interest group coalition urging the FCC to promote video programming diversity using the authority granted in Section 612(g) of the Communications Act. Under the "70/70" criteria of Section 612(g), once 70 percent of American households have cable available to them, and 70 percent of those households become subscribers, the FCC has the authority create rules ensuring diversity of information sources. Numerous studies clearly establish that the "70/70" criteria have been met. If the FCC does not employ their regulatory powers, cable companies will continue to use market dominance to raise prices, lower the quality of customer service, and discriminate against independent programming.

Read the Section 612(g) Comments

**MAP Files Reply to Opposition in Susquehanna Deal**

November 11, 2005 MAP filed comments requesting that the Commission deny Comcast’s Opposition and grant the October 31, 2005 Motion to review the Susquehanna acquisition.

Read the Susquehanna Reply to Opposition

MAP Demands FCC Review Comcast's Susquehanna Deal

October 31, 2005 MAP filed a motion demanding that the FCC include a review of Comcast's latest cable deal to acquire Susquehanna as part of Comcast/Adelphia/Time Warner transaction. The proposed Susquehanna deal would further consolidate Comcast's grip on the Northeast. Increased regional consolidation poses a real threat to democracy as it erodes marketplace competition and concentrates power over quality, price, and content.

Read the Susquehanna Motion

MAP Advocates Strict Cable Ownership Limits

August 15, 2005 MAP filed comments urging the FCC to adopt stringent limitations on the number of cable systems any one company can own. Without these limits, cable owners are free to raise prices, lower the quality of service, and control content, to the detriment of democracy.

Read the "Citizen" Cable Ownership Comments

**MAP Files Reply Comments Against Comcast/Time Warner/Adelphia Swap**

August 8, 2005 On behalf of community media and local governments, MAP has filed comments in the Comcast/Time Warner/Adelphia swap urging the FCC to protect local cable access and local government's ability to stop cable customer abuse.

Read the "Citizen" Reply Comments

**MAP Files Two Petitions to Deny in Opposition to Cable Industry Mergers**

July 21, 2005 MAP filed two seperate Petitions to Deny with the FCC. These petitions oppose the proposed aquisition of bankrupt Adelphia by Comcast and Time Warner, who represent the nation's largest and second largest cable companies. MAP also opposes subsequent system swaps by Comcast and Time Warner to further consolidate their regional monopolies. Should the FCC permit the swaps, MAP demands numerous conditions to ensure deployment of advanced services in minority communities and limits on enhanced market power.

Filings:
"Anti-Redlining" Petition to Deny

Demands Comcast and Time Warner carry programming that addresses minority needs, conditions guaranteeing deployment of broadband services on a timely basis to all neighborhoods, and increased employment of Hispanics in decision-making positions.

"Citizen" Petition to Deny

Argues that concentration of power over media and residential broadband endangers free speech, diverse viewpoints, and the rights of subscribers generally.

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