TIN:
SCHEDULE O
(Form 990 or 990-EZ)
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
(Form 990 or 990-EZ)
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Supplemental Information to Form 990 or 990-EZ
Complete to provide information for responses to specific questions on
Form 990 or 990-EZ or to provide any additional information.
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Go to www.irs.gov/Form990 for the latest information.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2019
Open to Public
Inspection
Inspection
Name of the organization
AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION INC
Employer identification number
94-3180176
94-3180176
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| FORM 990, PART I, LINE 1, DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION MISSION: | PROTECTION AND ADVANCEMENT OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUSINESSES BY INFORMING AND EDUCATING LEGISLATORS, REGULATORS, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE UNIQUE NEEDS, INTERESTS AND THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THESE SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES, AS WELL AS THE BENEFITS PROVIDED TO THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE. ACA CONNECTS ALSO PROVIDES REGULATORY, TECHNICAL, INDUSTRY INFORMATION AND EDUCATION TO ITS MEMBERS. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 1, DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION MISSION: | THE AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION, INC. (ACA CONNECTS) PURPOSE SHALL BE THE PROTECTION AND ADVANCEMENT OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUSINESSES BY INFORMING AND EDUCATING LEGISLATORS, REGULATORS, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE UNIQUE NEEDS, INTERESTS AND THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THESE SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES, AS WELL AS THE BENEFITS PROVIDED TO THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE. ACA CONNECTS ALSO PROVIDES REGULATORY, TECHNICAL, INDUSTRY INFORMATION AND EDUCATION TO ITS MEMBERS. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: | KEY DEVELOPMENTS 2019 ACA CONNECTS REPORTS ON ITS MEMBERS' ROBUST BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT PROGRESS ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS CONTINUE TO INVEST IN BRINGING HIGH-QUALITY BROADBAND SERVICES TO SMALL MARKETS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS AMERICA, ACA CONNECTS REPORTED TO THE FCC. THE TRADE ASSOCIATION NOTED THAT FCC POLICIES ARE HELPING FUEL THIS GROWTH BY ELIMINATING BARRIERS TO DEPLOYMENT AND TARGETING SUBSIDIES TO AREAS THAT LACK A BUSINESS CASE FOR PRIVATE INVESTMENT. THESE STATEMENTS CAME IN COMMENTS ACA CONNECTS FILED WITH THE FCC ON FRIDAY IN CONNECTION WITH THE AGENCY'S ANNUAL INQUIRY WHETHER BROADBAND "IS BEING DEPLOYED TO ALL AMERICANS IN A REASONABLE AND TIMELY FASHION." "FOR TWO YEARS RUNNING, THE FCC HAS FOUND THAT THE INDUSTRY IS DEPLOYING BROADBAND ON A 'REASONABLE AND TIMELY' BASIS, AND THAT ITS POLICIES ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THIS SUCCESS," SAID ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW POLKA. "WE AGREED WITH THOSE FINDINGS, AND THERE IS NO DOUBT THE AGENCY IS JUSTIFIED IN REACHING THE SAME RESULT THIS YEAR." ACA CONNECTS STATEMENT REGARDING ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE VOTE PASSING NEW STELAR BILL ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT AFTER THE HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE PASSED (H.R. 5035), THE TELEVISION VIEWER PROTECTION ACT, A SUCCESSOR BILL TO THE SATELLITE TELEVISION EXTENSION AND LOCALISM ACT REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2014 (STELAR): "WE THANK THE COMMITTEE FOR RECOGNIZING THE BENEFITS OF EXTENDING THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION'S GOOD FAITH RULES TO RETRANSMISSION CONSENT NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN LARGE BROADCAST STATIONS GROUPS AND BUYING GROUPS THAT REPRESENT SMALL AND EDIUM SIZED PAY-TV PROVIDERS. "WITHIN THE LAST YEAR, THE FCC HAS FOUND THAT SMALLER OPERATORS PAY RETRANSMISSION CONSENT FEES THAT ARE MORE THAN 30 PERCENT GREATER THAN THE FEES PAID BY LARGER OPERATORS. ENCOURAGING LARGE STATION GROUPS TO COME TO THE TABLE AND NEGOTIATE WITH BUYING GROUPS REPRESENTING THESE SMALLER FIRMS CAN HELP ADDRESS THIS DISPARITY AND IN TURN PROVIDE SOME RELIEF TO CONSUMERS SERVED BY THEM. ACA APPLAUDS FCC CHAIRMAN PAI ON PUBLIC AUCTION OF C-BAND SPECTRUM ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT TODAY APPLAUDING FCC CHAIRMAN PAI ON HIS DECISION TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC AUCTION OF THE C-BAND SPECTRUM: "WE APPLAUD CHAIRMAN PAI FOR HIS DECISION TO REPURPOSE C-BAND SPECTRUM THROUGH A PUBLIC AUCTION AS ACA CONNECTS, CHARTER AND CCA PROPOSED IN OUR 5G PLUS PLAN. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE FCC CHAIRMAN AND HIS FELLOW COMMISSIONERS ON THE DETAILS OF AN AUCTION AND ON A TRANSITION PLAN THAT ALLOCATES NECESSARY FUNDS TO ACCOMMODATE INCUMBENT USERS AND GIVES CABLE EARTH STATION OPERATORS, INCLUDING IN RURAL AMERICA, THE FLEXIBILITY TO TRANSITION TO FIBER-BASED SOLUTIONS." ACA APPLAUDS FCC CHAIRMAN PAI ON PUBLIC AUCTION OF C-BAND SPECTRUM ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT ON TODAY'S RULING BY A PANEL OF THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIRCUIT TO UPHOLD THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION'S DETERMINATION THAT BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE IS AN INFORMATION SERVICE: "ACA CONNECTS IS PLEASED WITH THE D.C. CIRCUIT'S DECISION TO UPHOLD THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION'S DETERMINATION THAT BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE IS AN INFORMATION SERVICE THAT SHOULD BE LIGHTLY GOVERNED PURSUANT TO A MARKET-BASED APPROACH. "AS OUR SMALLER BROADBAND PROVIDER MEMBERS TOLD THE FCC, SUBJECTING ISPS TO OUTDATED COMMON CARRIER REGULATION UNDER TITLE II OF THE COMMUNICATIONS ACT WOULD DETER THEM FROM INVESTING IN UPGRADES AND EXPANDING THEIR BROADBAND NETWORKS TO ROLL OUT INNOVATIVE, HIGHER PERFORMANCE SERVICES. IMPOSING ONEROUS TITLE II REGULATION ALSO WOULD PROVIDE NO REAL BENEFIT BECAUSE ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS HAVE VOLUNTARILY COMMITTED TO NOT BLOCK, THROTTLE, OR OTHERWISE DEGRADE THEIR SUBSCRIBERS' INTERNET TRAFFIC, AND THEY WOULD HAVE AN ONGOING OBLIGATION TO DISCLOSE PUBLICLY THEIR NETWORK MANAGEMENT PRACTICES." ACA OFFERS FCC PROPOSALS TO MAXIMIZE RDOF SUPPORT UTILIZED BY SMALLER BROADBAND PROVIDERS ACA CONNECTS: AMERICA'S COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION, IN COMMENTS FILED WITH THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION, APPLAUDED THE FCC FOR LAUNCHING THE $20.4 BILLION RURAL DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY FUND (RDOF) AND AWARDING SUPPORT BY USING A REVERSE AUCTION. HOWEVER, ACA CONNECTS EXPLAINED THE PROPOSED RULES FOR THE PROGRAM WOULD NOT MAXIMIZE PARTICIPATION IN THE AUCTION AND THEREFORE BOTH WASTE SCARCE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT AND FAIL TO BRING HIGHER PERFORMANCE BROADBAND SERVICES TO UNSERVED ELIGIBLE AREAS. ACA CONNECTS RECOMMENDED THE FCC MODIFY ITS WEIGHTING METHODOLOGY TO ENCOURAGE PROVIDERS TO BID TO OFFER HIGHER PERFORMANCE SERVICES. THE FCC ALSO CAN INCREASE PARTICIPATION BY USING INDIVIDUAL CENSUS BLOCKS AS THE MINIMUM GEOGRAPHIC AREA. ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA EXPLAINED, "IN PROPOSING THE RURAL DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY FUND, THE FCC HAS 'CAUGHT THE BROADBAND TRAIN.' THE RDOF HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BRING HIGH PERFORMANCE BROADBAND SERVICES TO UNSERVED RURAL AMERICA AND BEST USE LIMITED GOVERNMENT FUNDS. BUT THAT WILL ONLY OCCUR IF THE FCC ADOPTS RULES THAT ENCOURAGE THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF POTENTIAL BIDDERS TO PARTICIPATE." |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: | ACA CONNECTS SUPPORTS FCC PROPOSAL THAT CABLE OPERATORS USE EMAIL TO DELIVER REQUIRED NOTICES TO TV STATIONS ACA CONNECTS IN NEW COMMENTS WITH THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION APPLAUDED THE FCC FOR PROPOSING TO ADOPT THE ASSOCIATION'S RECOMMENDATION THAT CABLE OPERATORS TRANSITION TO USE OF EMAIL TO DELIVER CERTAIN REQUIRED NOTICES TO TELEVISION BROADCAST STATIONS. THE FCC PROPOSAL WAS INCLUDED IN A NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING (NPRM). ACA CONNECTS SAID RELIANCE ON THE OLD METHOD CERTIFIED MAIL WAS OUTDATED AND THAT A TRANSITION TO EMAIL WAS THE "LOGICAL NEXT STEP" IN KEEPING FEDERAL REGULATIONS CURRENT WITH MODERN BUSINESS PRACTICES. "ALLOWING CABLE OPERATORS TO DELIVER THESE NOTICES TO BROADCASTERS BY EMAIL WOULD REDUCE BURDENS, ESPECIALLY FOR THE SMALLER OPERATORS ACA CONNECTS REPRESENTS, WITHOUT IMPOSING ANY OFFSETTING HARM ON BROADCASTERS," ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA SAID. "THE PROPOSAL WOULD ALSO CUT DOWN ON ENVIRONMENTAL WASTE." ACA CONNECTS WELCOMES FURTHER STEPS TOWARD MVPD REGULATORY FEE PARITY, ENCOURAGES FCC TO FINISH THE JOB ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE RELEASE OF THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION'S REGULATORY FEE SCHEDULE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019: "ACA CONNECTS IS PLEASED TO SEE THE FCC CONTINUE TO PHASE IN THE REGULATORY FEE ASSESSED ON DIRECT BROADCAST SATELLITE (DBS) PROVIDERS CHIEFLY DIRECTV AND DISH TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE MEDIA BUREAU. IN FISCAL YEAR 2019, DBS PROVIDERS WILL PAY 12 CENTS MORE PER SUBSCRIBER THAN THEY DID LAST YEAR. THIS IS WELCOME PROGRESS. "THAT SAID, THE FCC WOULD HAVE BEEN JUSTIFIED IN GOING FURTHER. FOR TOO LONG, DBS PROVIDERS HAVE PAID A LOWER PER-SUBSCRIBER RATE THAN ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THE MEDIA BUREAU'S ACTIVITIES. AS A RESULT, SMALLER MVPDS THROUGH THEIR HIGHER FCC REGULATORY FEES HAVE BEEN SUBSIDIZING THEIR MUCH LARGER COMPETITIVE RIVALS WITHOUT A SHOWING THAT DBS PROVIDERS WERE PLACING LESS OF A BURDEN ON MEDIA BUREAU STAFF RESOURCES." FCC SHOULD ADOPT THE 5G PLUS PLAN YESTERDAY, IN REPLY COMMENTS FILED WITH THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION, ACA CONNECTS AMERICA'S COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION, COMPETITIVE CARRIERS ASSOCIATION, AND CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS (COLLECTIVELY, THE "COALITION") URGED THE FCC TO ADOPT THE 5G PLUS PLAN, THE COALITION'S COMPREHENSIVE JOINT PROPOSAL FOR REPURPOSING A LARGE PORTION OF VALUABLE C-BAND SPECTRUM FOR 5G WIRELESS SERVICES. THE PLAN WOULD REALLOCATE AT LEAST 370 MEGAHERTZ OF THE 3.7-4.2 GHZ BAND SPECTRUM FROM SATELLITE TO TERRESTRIAL USE AND REMAINS THE ONLY C-BAND SOLUTION THAT SERVES THE BROADER PUBLIC INTEREST. IN A STATEMENT, ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA SAID, "THE WIDE-RANGING BENEFITS OF THE 5G PLUS PLAN ARE ABUNDANTLY CLEAR. THE PLAN WILL TURBO-CHARGE DEPLOYMENT OF 5G, EXPAND FIBER CONNECTIVITY IN RURAL AMERICA, CREATE THOUSANDS OF JOBS, AND COLLECT BILLIONS IN AUCTION REVENUES FOR THE U.S. TREASURY. NO OTHER PLAN COMES CLOSE TO MATCHING THESE BENEFITS. FURTHERMORE, THE 5G PLUS PLAN IS THE ONLY PROPOSAL ON RECORD THAT APPROPRIATELY BALANCES THE INTERESTS OF ALL AFFECTED STAKEHOLDERS PAY TELEVISION PROVIDERS AND CABLE PROGRAMMERS, OTHER C-BAND USERS, SATELLITE COMPANIES, PROSPECTIVE 5G DEPLOYERS, AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. AND CONTRARY TO THE ASSERTIONS OF SOME PARTIES WHICH THE COALITION'S REPLY COMMENTS ADDRESS THE 5G PLUS PLAN IS WORKABLE TO IMPLEMENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE. THE FCC SHOULD ADD SOME NITRO TO THE NATION'S 5G DEPLOYMENT ENGINE BY ADOPTING AND IMPLEMENTING THE 5G PLUS PLAN WITHOUT DELAY." ACA CONNECTS PRAISES INTRODUCTION OF BIPARTISAN MODERN TELEVISION ACT OF 2019 ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT TODAY REGARDING INTRODUCTION OF THE MODERN TELEVISION ACT OF 2019 BY REP. STEVE SCALISE (R-LA.) AND REP. ANNA ESHOO (D-CALIF.): "I APPLAUD REPS. SCALISE AND ESHOO FOR INTRODUCING THE MODERN TELEVISION ACT. IT REPRESENTS A SERIOUS AND LONG-OVERDUE ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS THE INCREASING DYSFUNCTION IN THE TELEVISION MARKETPLACE. FOR TOO LONG, BROADCASTERS' GREED AND ABILITY TO LEVERAGE THEIR GOVERNMENT-GRANTED PROTECTIONS HAVE LED TO SKYROCKETING PRICES AND BROADCASTER BLACKOUTS. AND FOR TOO LONG, ACA CONNECTS' SMALLER CABLE SYSTEM OPERATOR MEMBERS HAVE BORNE THE BRUNT OF BROADCASTERS' MISCONDUCT. THE MODERN TELEVISION ACT PROMISES REAL CHANGE AND REAL RELIEF FOR CONSUMERS. IT WILL ELIMINATE OUTDATED RULES THAT NO LONGER SERVE ANY USEFUL PURPOSE. AND IT WILL GIVE THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION AUTHORITY TO MANDATE INTERIM CARRIAGE OF BROADCAST STATIONS AND TO REQUIRE BINDING BASEBALL-STYLE ARBITRATION TO RESOLVE DISPUTES. "IF THE MODERN TELEVISION ACT WERE LAW TODAY, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS INCLUDING MANY CUSTOMERS OF ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS WOULD NEVER HAVE LOST THEIR BROADCAST SIGNALS. AND THE ENDLESS CYCLE OF BROADCASTER PRICE INCREASES MIGHT FINALLY STOP, OR AT LEAST SLOW DOWN." ACA CONNECTS CALLS ON FCC TO REDUCE FURTHER THE BURDENS OF CABLE LEASED ACCESS RULES ACA CONNECTS IS CALLING ON THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION TO FURTHER REDUCE THE BURDENS ASSOCIATED WITH "LEASED ACCESS" CAPACITY THAT CABLE OPERATORS MUST MAKE AVAILABLE TO PROGRAMMERS. ACA CONNECTS URGED THIS APPROACH IN FURTHER COMMENTS FILED ON JULY 22. "WE APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS THE FCC HAS ALREADY MADE TO REDUCE BURDENS ASSOCIATED WITH LEASED ACCESS," ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA SAID. "THE FCC SHOULD FURTHER REDUCE THOSE BURDENS BY PERMITTING CABLE OPERATORS TO USE A SINGLE SET OF DATA FOR A SET PERIOD OF TIME IN RESPONDING TO LEASED ACCESS REQUESTS, RATHER THAN HAVING TO COMPILE DATA ANEW FOR EVERY REQUEST." POLKA CONTINUED, "THE FCC SHOULD ALSO EITHER SET A MINIMUM RATE FOR LEASED ACCESS OR OTHERWISE ADJUST THE FORMULA SO THAT THE CABLE OPERATORS WITH THE LEAST PROFITABLE VIDEO SERVICES DO NOT HAVE TO GIVE AWAY CAPACITY FOR NEXT TO NOTHING THAT COULD OTHERWISE BE USED FOR BROADBAND." |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: | ACA CONNECTS APPLAUDS FCC ACTIONS TO MODERNIZE KIDVID RULES, STREAMLINE DELIVERY OF BROADCAST AND CABLE NOTICES, AND ADVANCE CONNECTED CARE ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS REGARDING ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION AT TODAY'S OPEN COMMISSION MEETING: MODERNIZING THE CHILDREN'S TELEVISION RULES: "ACA CONNECTS APPLAUDS THE FCC FOR VOTING TODAY TO STREAMLINE THE REPORTING PROCESS UNDER ITS CHILDREN'S TELEVISION PROGRAMMING RULES. TODAY, CABLE OPERATORS ARE REQUIRED FOUR TIMES A YEAR TO COLLECT "KIDVID" CERTIFICATIONS FROM EVERY PROGRAMMER THEY CARRY AND TO POST THESE DOCUMENTS, WHICH CAN NUMBER OVER 100 IN TOTAL, TO THEIR PUBLIC FILE. THE FCC'S DECISION TO MOVE FROM QUARTERLY TO ANNUAL POSTINGS WILL SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE BURDENS FOR CABLE OPERATORS WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE RULES' UNDERLYING PROTECTIONS FOR CHILD VIEWERS." ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF CARRIAGE ELECTION NOTICES; ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF NOTICES TO BROADCAST TELEVISION STATIONS: "THE FCC TOOK WELCOME STEPS TODAY TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR CABLE OPERATORS AND BROADCASTERS TO EXCHANGE REQUIRED NOTICES. ACA CONNECTS SUPPORTS TODAY'S DECISION TO ALLOW BROADCAST CARRIAGE ELECTION NOTICES TO OCCUR BY EMAIL. WE ARE ALSO PLEASED THAT THE FCC HAS PROPOSED EXTENDING SIMILAR TREATMENT TO CABLE OPERATORS, ALLOWING THEM TO DELIVER REQUIRED NOTICES TO BROADCASTERS BY EMAIL RATHER THAN CERTIFIED MAIL. WE THANK THE FCC FOR DEVELOPING A PROPOSAL THAT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT MANY OF OUR SUGGESTIONS, AND WE ENCOURAGE THE FCC TO MOVE FORWARD PROMPTLY WITH ITS ADOPTION." PROMOTING ACCESS TO CONNECTED CARE SERVICES: "ACA CONNECTS WELCOMES THE FCC'S PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A CONNECTED CARE TELEHEALTH PILOT PROGRAM. AS DEPLOYERS OF HIGH-PERFORMANCE BROADBAND NETWORKS IN RURAL AND UNDERSERVED REGIONS ACROSS THE NATION, ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS ARE WELL POISED TO DELIVER THE BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY NECESSARY FOR CONNECTED CARE. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING OUR IDEAS ON HOW TO DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT A PILOT PROGRAM THAT BEST ACHIEVES ITS IMPORTANT GOALS WHILE TARGETING SUBSIDIES AS EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE." ACA CONNECTS CALLS ON FCC TO GRANT C SPIRE'S RETRANSMISSION CONSENT COMPLAINT AGAINST GRAY IN COMMENTS FILED YESTERDAY, ACA CONNECTS URGED THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION TO GRANT A RETRANSMISSION CONSENT COMPLAINT FILED BY ITS MEMBER C SPIRE AGAINST GRAY TELEVISION. IT ARGUED THAT GRAY VIOLATED THE LAW BY REFUSING TO NEGOTIATE RETRANSMISSION CONSENT (OR PERMIT OTHERS TO NEGOTIATE SUCH CONSENT) FOR A MISSISSIPPI STATION ON ONE OF C SPIRE'S LOCAL AND IN-STATE SYSTEMS. THIS REFUSAL, ARGUED ACA CONNECTS, BOTH INVALIDATED THE "MARKET MODIFICATION" RULES MANDATED BY CONGRESS AND VIOLATED THE FCC'S "GOOD FAITH NEGOTIATION" RULES. ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATT POLKA STATED: "C SPIRE'S COMPLAINT RAISES ISSUES THAT MATTER TO MANY ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS. BROADCAST NETWORKS ROUTINELY PREVENT OUR MEMBERS FROM DELIVERING NEARBY, LOCAL AND IN-STATE STATIONS UNLESS THEY ALSO CARRY FARAWAY OUT-OF-STATE STATIONS. THIS IS UNFAIR TO CONSUMERS. IT ALSO REVEALS THE BROADCASTERS' OFT-REPEATED CLAIMS ABOUT LOCALISM TO BE SOMETHING OF A SHAM." ACA CONNECTS CALLS ON FCC TO EQUALIZE THE REGULATORY FEES IMPOSED ON MULTICHANNEL VIDEO PROVIDERS ACA CONNECTS IS CALLING ON THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION TO ADOPT A REGULATORY FEE SCHEDULE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019 IN WHICH DIRECT BROADCAST SATELLITE (DBS) PROVIDERS PAY THE SAME PER-SUBSCRIBER FEE AS CABLE OPERATORS AND IPTV PROVIDERS TO SUPPORT THE FCC MEDIA BUREAU'S ACTIVITIES. ACA CONNECTS URGED THIS APPROACH IN JOINT COMMENTS FILED JUNE 7 WITH NCTA THE INTERNET & TELEVISION ASSOCIATION, A TRADE ORGANIZATION THAT ALSO INCLUDES CABLE OPERATORS. "WHILE THE FCC HAS RIGHTFULLY PROPOSED THAT DBS PROVIDERS PAY A HIGHER SHARE OF REGULATORY FEES THIS YEAR THAN LAST YEAR, THE PROPOSAL DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH," ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA SAID. "DBS PROVIDERS AND CABLE OPERATORS PARTICIPATE TO A COMPARABLE DEGREE IN MEDIA BUREAU PROCEEDINGS AND IMPOSE 'ROUGHLY THE SAME' BURDENS ON STAFF. ACCORDINGLY, THERE IS NO BASIS IN LAW OR POLICY FOR CONTINUING TO REQUIRE CABLE OPERATORS TO PAY MORE THAN THEIR FAIR SHARE OF THE REGULATORY FEES THAT SUPPORT THE MEDIA BUREAU." ACA CONNECTS APPLAUDS FCC FOR REDUCING BURDENS OF LEASED ACCESS ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT APPLAUDING THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION'S REPORT AND ORDER ON LEASED COMMERCIAL ACCESS: "THE FCC'S DECISION TO ELIMINATE THE PART-TIME LEASED ACCESS REQUIREMENTS REFLECTS THE INCREDIBLE EVOLUTION OF VIDEO PROGRAMMING OVER THE PAST SEVERAL DECADES. PART-TIME LEASED ACCESS IS A RELIC OF THE PAST, AS INDEPENDENT PROGRAMMING PRODUCERS TODAY HAVE SO MANY OPTIONS FOR DISTRIBUTING THEIR CONTENT TO THE ENTIRE WORLD. "ELIMINATING PART-TIME LEASED ACCESS COMBINED WITH EXTENDING THE DEADLINE FOR RESPONDING TO LEASED ACCESS REQUESTS AND ALLOWING ALL CABLE OPERATORS TO RESPOND ONLY TO BONA FIDE REQUESTS WILL DO A LOT TO REDUCE BURDENS. RESPONDING TO LEASED ACCESS REQUESTS EVEN THOSE THAT ARE BONA FIDE CAN BE PARTICULARLY BURDENSOME FOR SMALL PROVIDERS, SO ALLOWING SMALL PROVIDERS 45 DAYS TO RESPOND IS ESPECIALLY APPROPRIATE. ACA CONNECTS ALSO APPLAUDS THE FCC'S DECISION TO REEXAMINE THE OVERLY COMPLICATED FORMULA FOR DETERMINING LEASED ACCESS RATES." |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: | ACA CONNECTS APPLAUDS FCC FOR CLARIFYING THAT CARRIERS MAY OFFER ROBOCALL BLOCKING TOOLS TO CONSUMERS ON "OPT OUT" BASIS ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT CONCERNING THE DECLARATORY RULING ON ROBOCALL BLOCKING ADOPTED BY THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION TODAY AT ITS PUBLIC MEETING: "ACA CONNECTS APPLAUDS THE FCC FOR MAKING CLEAR THAT VOICE SERVICE PROVIDERS MAY OFFER ROBOCALL BLOCKING TOOLS TO CUSTOMERS ON AN INFORMED OPT-OUT BASIS. TODAY'S RULING GIVES ASSURANCE TO ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS AND OTHER PROVIDERS THAT THEY CAN DO MORE TO HELP THEIR CUSTOMERS BLOCK MALICIOUS ROBOCALLS, WHILE ALSO PRESERVING THE RIGHT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL CUSTOMER TO MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE TO RECEIVE ANY AND ALL INCOMING CALLS. THOSE CONSUMERS WHO ARE LESS FAMILIAR WITH AND SLOWER TO ADOPT NEW TECHNOLOGIES ARE PARTICULARLY LIKELY TO BENEFIT FROM BLOCKING TOOLS MADE AVAILABLE ON AN OPT-OUT BASIS, AS TODAY'S RULING CONTEMPLATES. "TODAY'S RULING IS AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD IN ADDRESSING THE ROBOCALL PROBLEM. CHAIRMAN PAI AND THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS DESERVE PRAISE FOR ALL OF THEIR EFFORTS SO FAR. GOING FORWARD, ACA CONNECTS WILL CONTINUE TO WORK IN CLOSE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FCC, OUR INDUSTRY PEERS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS ON ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO COMBAT THE SCOURGE OF UNLAWFUL AND UNWANTED ROBOCALLS." ACA CONNECTS URGES ACTION ON C SPIRE'S GOOD FAITH RETRANSMISSION CONSENT COMPLAINT AGAINST GRAY TELEVISION GROUP INC.: ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF C SPIRE'S RETRANSMISSION CONSENT COMPLAINT ALLEGING LACK OF GOOD FAITH BY GRAY TELEVISION GROUP INC. "IT'S OUTRAGEOUS THAT CORPORATE EXECUTIVES AT THE CBS NETWORK ARE KEEPING A CBS-AFFILIATED TELEVISION STATION FROM A LOCAL CABLE OPERATOR EVEN THOUGH BOTH THE OPERATOR AND THE STATION OPERATE IN THE SAME LOCAL MISSISSIPPI TELEVISION MARKET. BY FORCING THE CITIZENS OF DIAMONDHEAD TO WATCH A CBS AFFILIATE IN NEW ORLEANS INSTEAD, CBS IS BLOCKING ACCESS TO LOCAL NEWS AND PROGRAMMING FOR A SMALL RURAL MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY. "THE GOOD FAITH COMPLAINT AND PETITION FOR DECLARATORY RULING FILED JUNE 3 BY ACA CONNECTS MEMBER C SPIRE AGAINST GRAY TELEVISION CUTS TO THE HEART OF A PROBLEM THAT ACA CONNECTS HAS LONG RAISED THIRD-PARTY INTERFERENCE IN RETRANSMISSION CONSENT NEGOTIATIONS." ACA CONNECTS TELLS FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION THAT BROADBAND MARKETS ARE WORKING TO ENHANCE CONSUMER WELFARE IN MAY 31 COMMENTS FILED WITH THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION (FTC) ON COMPETITION AND CONSUMER PROTECTION IN BROADBAND MARKETS, ACA CONNECTS AMERICA'S COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION EXPLAINED THAT, OVERALL, BROADBAND MARKETS IN THE U.S. ARE WORKING TO THE BENEFIT OF CONSUMERS SOME 300 MILLION OF WHOM TODAY HAVE ACCESS TO ROBUST (100 MBPS) BROADBAND SERVICE, MOST OFTEN FROM MULTIPLE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS (ISPS). ACA CONNECTS' VIEW IS SUPPORTED BY THE FACT THAT INVESTMENT IN BROADBAND NETWORKS IS ENORMOUS (MANY TENS OF BILLIONS ANNUALLY), INNOVATIVE SERVICES ARE CONTINUOUSLY BEING DEPLOYED, PRICES ARE DECLINING (ON A PER MEGABIT BASIS), AND COMPETITION IS INCREASING. "ACA CONNECTS' MEMBERS, WHO ARE SMALLER ISPS, TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN THEIR HIGH-PERFORMANCE BROADBAND NETWORKS AND THEIR ROBUST BROADBAND SERVICE OFFERINGS," ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA SAID. "SMALLER ISPS UNDERSTAND THAT THEIR CUSTOMERS RELY ON ACCESS TO THE INTERNET AND TO OVER-THE-TOP VIDEO AND OTHER BROADBAND CONTENT. MOREOVER, THEY UNDERSTAND THEIR CUSTOMERS HAVE A CHOICE OF ISPS." AS A RESULT, SMALLER ISPS ARE SPENDING LARGE AMOUNTS OF CAPITAL ANNUALLY TO UPGRADE THEIR NETWORKS WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART DOCSIS AND FIBER TECHNOLOGIES, WHICH CAN PROVIDE RELIABLE, HIGH-QUALITY, MULTI-HUNDRED MEGABIT AND GIGABIT SERVICE. THEY ALSO ARE EXPANDING THEIR NETWORK REACH IN RURAL, AND EVEN IN PREVIOUSLY UNSERVED, AREAS TO WIN OVER NEW CONSUMERS. ACA CONNECTS STATEMENT ON SENATE PASSAGE OF THE TRACED ACT ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT TODAY REGARDING THE SENATE'S PASSAGE OF THE TELEPHONE ROBOCALL ABUSE AND CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT AND DETERRENCE (TRACED) ACT: "I APPLAUD THE SENATE FOR TAKING AN IMPORTANT STEP TO CRACK DOWN ON UNWANTED ROBOCALLS AND SPOOFED CALLS BY PASSING THE TRACED ACT. THIS BILL WOULD ALLOW INDUSTRY TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF CALL AUTHENTICATION TECHNOLOGY ON A TIMELY BASIS, WHILE RECOGNIZING THAT SMALLER PROVIDERS MAY REQUIRE MORE TIME TO FULLY IMPLEMENT THE TECHNOLOGY. THE BILL WOULD ALSO STRENGTHEN FCC AUTHORITY TO BRING ROBOCALL SCAMMERS TO JUSTICE. SENATORS THUNE AND MARKEY AND THEIR MANY CO-SPONSORS DESERVE PRAISE FOR WORKING ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS TO ADDRESS A MATTER OF URGENT CONCERN FOR AMERICAN CONSUMERS." ACA CONNECTS STATEMENT ON THE FCC'S PROPOSED DECLARATORY RULING ON ROBOCALL BLOCKING BY DEFAULT THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA "I APPLAUD FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION CHAIRMAN AJIT PAI FOR ANNOUNCING PLANS TO CIRCULATE TO HIS FELLOW COMMISSIONERS A DRAFT RULING THAT WOULD AFFIRM VOICE PROVIDERS' ABILITY TO OFFER ROBOCALL BLOCKING TOOLS TO CUSTOMERS ON AN INFORMED OPT-OUT BASIS. TAKING THIS STEP WOULD EMPOWER PROVIDERS TO DEPLOY TOOLS MORE WIDELY THAT CAN PROTECT CUSTOMERS FROM NUISANCE CALLS AND SCAMS, AND THOSE CUSTOMERS THAT ARE LESS FAMILIAR WITH AND SLOWER TO ADOPT NEW TECHNOLOGIES ARE PARTICULARLY LIKELY TO BENEFIT. HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRMAN MIKE DOYLE AND REPUBLICAN LEADER BOB LATTA HAVE INCLUDED A SIMILAR PROPOSAL IN THEIR STOP ROBOCALLS ACT, WHICH SUGGESTS THERE IS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR THIS COMMONSENSE APPROACH. WE LOOK FORWARD TO REVIEWING THE FULL TEXT OF THE FCC'S DRAFT RULING AND CONTINUING TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE FCC, OUR INDUSTRY PEERS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS ON MEASURES TO COMBAT THE SCOURGE OF UNWANTED ROBOCALLS." ACA CONNECTS VICE CHAIRMAN BOYERS CALLS ON CONGRESS TO FIX RETRANSMISSION CONSENT, SAYS LARGE STATION GROUPS CRUSHING SMALL CABLE SUBSCRIBERS IN WRITTEN TESTIMONY SUBMITTED TO A HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE, ACA CONNECTS VICE CHAIRMAN PATRICIA JO BOYERS OF POPLAR BLUFF, MISSOURI WHERE SHE OWNS A SMALL, RURAL CABLE COMPANY WITH HER HUSBAND TOLD LAWMAKERS THAT THE 1992 RETRANSMISSION CONSENT LAW IS LINING THE POCKETS OF TV STATIONS WHILE INFLICTING SERIOUS FINANCIAL HARM ON SMALL CABLE SYSTEM SUBSCRIBERS. SHE SAID THE LAW NEEDS TO BE FIXED FAST BEFORE THE WRECKAGE SEEN DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS CONTINUES INTO THE FUTURE, PERHAPS CAUSING MORE CABLE COMPANIES TO EXIT THE TRADITIONAL VIDEO BUSINESS. IN HER TESTIMONY, MRS. BOYERS VOICED THE FRUSTRATION FELT BY 700 ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS WHO VIEW RETRANSMISSION CONSENT AS AN ARCHAIC LAW THAT GIVES TV STATION OWNERS EXCESSIVE POWER IN CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS LEVERAGE WHICH THE STATIONS USE TO EXTRACT EXCESSIVE FEES THAT ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS NEED TO ADD TO CONSUMERS' BILLS TO STAY IN BUSINESS. CITING A STUDY BY THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION, MRS. BOYERS SAID SMALL VIDEO PROVIDERS PAY 30% MORE TO TV STATIONS THAN DO LARGE CABLE COMPANIES. BECAUSE SMALLER CABLE FIRMS TEND TO HAVE A RURAL PROFILE, SMALLER CABLE PROVIDERS' HIGHER RETRANSMISSION CONSENT PAYMENTS ARE EFFECTIVELY SUBSIDIZING URBAN CABLE CUSTOMERS SERVED BY SOME OF THE LARGEST CABLE OPERATORS IN THE COUNTRY. "IF YOU WERE AROUND THE LAST TIME CONGRESS CONSIDERED SATELLITE LEGISLATION," SAID MRS. BOYERS, "YOU HEARD US TALK ABOUT DOUBLE-DIGIT INCREASES, BLACKOUTS, AND FORCED CARRIAGE OF JUNK CHANNELS. THIS STILL HAPPENS TODAY. AND IT'S A FAR CRY FROM WHAT CONGRESS EXPECTED WHEN IT CREATED A SPECIAL RULE IN RELIANCE ON NAB'S PROMISES THAT PRICES WOULDN'T GO UP AND THAT ANY FEES WOULD STAY WITH THE LOCAL STATION. RECENT CHANGES IN THE MARKETPLACE, HOWEVER, HAVE MADE THINGS FAR WORSE." |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: | ACA CONNECTS OPPOSES SINCLAIR'S PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF DISNEY-FOX REGIONAL SPORTS NETWORKS ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT: "ACA CONNECTS OPPOSES SINCLAIR'S PROPOSED PURCHASE OF THE DISNEY-FOX REGIONAL SPORTS NETWORKS (RSNS) FOR THE SAME REASON IT OPPOSED SINCLAIR'S FAILED ATTEMPT TO BUY TRIBUNE'S TELEVISION STATIONS IF APPROVED, THE TRANSACTION WOULD ALLOW SINCLAIR TO RAISE PRICES TO MILLIONS OF CONSUMERS, INCLUDING THOSE SERVED BY ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS. "BIG 4 BROADCAST NETWORK PROGRAMMING AND RSN PROGRAMMING ARE BOTH CRITICAL FOR ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS. BY JOINTLY NEGOTIATING THESE ASSETS WHEN THEY SERVE THE SAME MARKET, SINCLAIR CAN RAISE PRICES TO CABLE OPERATORS FOR BOTH OFFERINGS. "IT IS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION IMPOSED CONDITIONS ON THE COMCAST/NBCU MERGER AND THAT SINCLAIR'S PROPOSAL TO COMBINE TRIBUNE'S NETWORK STATIONS WITH ITS OWN RAN INTO SEVERE REGULATORY TROUBLE, CAUSING SINCLAIR-TRIBUNE TO PULL THE DEAL." ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT: "ACA CONNECTS APPLAUDS FCC CHAIRMAN AJIT PAI FOR ANNOUNCING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE RURAL DIGITAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND, WHICH WILL PROVIDE $20.4. BILLION OVER 10 YEARS TO BRING BROADBAND SERVICE TO UNSERVED AREAS. SINCE 2011, THE FCC HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO THE MISSION OF ENSURING ALL AMERICANS HAVE ACCESS TO BROADBAND SERVICE, AND LAST YEAR THE FCC DEMONSTRATED THE GREAT VALUE OF USING REVERSE AUCTIONS TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL. AUTHORIZED WINNING PROVIDERS OF THAT AUCTION WILL DEPLOY MORE EXPEDITIOUSLY MORE ROBUST BROADBAND SERVICE THAN IN THE FCC'S PHASE II COST MODEL PROGRAM AND DO SO WITH FAR LESS GOVERNMENT SUPPORT. "FOR THAT REASON, ACA CONNECTS IN RECENT TESTIMONY BEFORE CONGRESS AND IN FCC FILINGS HAS CALLED FOR THE FCC TO ACCELERATE THE AWARD OF FUNDING TO UNSERVED LOCATIONS IN PRICE CAP CARRIER AREA BY REVERSE AUCTIONS. TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT TAKES A BIG STEP IN THAT DIRECTION. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE FCC TO ENSURE THAT RULES FOR THE NEW FUND PROHIBIT OVERBUILDING OF EXISTING PROVIDERS, ENABLE ALL PROVIDERS TO PARTICIPATE ON A REASONABLE BASIS, AND GIVE UNSERVED CONSUMERS ACCESS TO ROBUST BROADBAND SERVICE." ACA CONNECTS APPLAUDS THE ELIMINATION OF OUTDATED CHANNEL LINEUP REQUIREMENTS ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT: "ACA CONNECTS CONGRATULATES THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION ON ITS DECISION TO ELIMINATE OUTDATED RULES THAT REQUIRE CABLE OPERATORS TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF THEIR CHANNEL LINEUPS IN THEIR LOCAL OFFICES AND TO POST THEM IN THEIR ONLINE PUBLIC INSPECTION FILES. IN TODAY'S COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT, CABLE OPERATORS MUST MAKE INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR SERVICES KNOWN TO CONSUMERS. "INFORMATION ABOUT CHANNEL LINEUPS IS AVAILABLE TO CONSUMERS FROM A WIDE VARIETY OF SOURCES, INCLUDING CABLE OPERATORS' OWN WEBSITES. ELIMINATING THESE REQUIREMENTS IS A FINE EXAMPLE OF 'CLEARING THE REGULATORY UNDERBRUSH,' WHICH THE FCC'S'S MEDIA MODERNIZATION PROCEEDINGS ARE DESIGNED TO PROMOTE." ACA CONNECTS' STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF SAVE THE INTERNET ACT OF 2019 (H.R. 1644) ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT TODAY REGARDING HOUSE PASSAGE OF SAVE THE INTERNET ACT OF 2019 (H.R.1644): "SMALL INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS (ISPS) WHO ARE MEMBERS OF ACA CONNECTS SUPPORT AN OPEN INTERNET. THEY DO NOT BLOCK, DEGRADE OR OTHERWISE IMPAIR ACCESS TO THE INTERNET BY THEIR CUSTOMERS AND ARE WILLING TO HAVE THESE RESTRICTIONS WRITTEN INTO LAW. "RATHER, THAN SIMPLY CODIFYING NET NEUTRALITY PRINCIPLES, H.R. 1644, UNDER THE GUISE OF SAVING THE INTERNET, TAKES A MUCH DIFFERENT APPROACH. THE BILL WOULD REVIVE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION RULES THAT TURN ISPS INTO COMMON CARRIERS AND IMPOSE ONEROUS AND OUTDATED REGULATIONS ON THEM. THIS ADDED REGULATION WOULD NOT MAKE THE INTERNET MORE OPEN. IT WOULD ONLY RETARD INVESTMENT IN HIGHER PERFORMANCE BROADBAND NETWORKS. "FOR THESE REASONS, 190 MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE VOTED AGAINST THE BILL, AND MAJORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL HAS CALLED THE BILL 'DEAD ON ARRIVAL IN THE SENATE.' H.R. 1644, WHICH WAS TODAY PASSED ON A LARGELY PARTISAN BASIS, HAS NO CHANCE OF BECOMING LAW. SO, INSTEAD OF GIVING CONSUMERS THE OPEN INTERNET PROTECTIONS THEY NEED, THE HOUSE HAS PASSED A MEASURE THAT EXACERBATES DIVISION IN WASHINGTON AND FURTHER DELAYS RESOLUTION OF THIS IMPORTANT MATTER FOR CONSUMERS." ACA CONNECTS TO FTC: SMALLER CABLE OPERATORS FACE BROADBAND COMPETITION IN RURAL MARKETS A SENIOR SHENTEL EXECUTIVE, REPRESENTING THE ACA AMERICA'S COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION, TOLD THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION (FTC) AT A MARCH 20 PUBLIC HEARING ON "COMPETITION AND CONSUMER PROTECTION IN THE 21ST CENTURY" THAT IN RURAL BROADBAND MARKETS SERVED BY SMALLER CABLE OPERATORS, BROADBAND COMPETITION EXISTS, OPERATORS ARE INVESTING IN NETWORK UPGRADES AND EXPANSIONS, AND PRICES ARE DECLINING. "BROADBAND IN AMERICA IS A 'GOOD NEWS' STORY," EXPLAINED TOM WHITAKER, SHENTEL'S SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, FIBER OPERATIONS. "OVER THE PAST DECADE, SMALLER CABLE OPERATORS HAVE INVESTED WELL OVER $10 BILLION IN THEIR BROADBAND NETWORKS. AS A RESULT, MOST OFFER BROADBAND SERVICE AT SPEEDS EXCEEDING 100 MBPS AND AT PRICES THAT HAVE DECLINED SUBSTANTIALLY OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS ON A PER MEGABIT BASIS. AND, THE EVEN BETTER NEWS IS THAT THESE TRENDS WILL CONTINUE," WHITAKER SAID. SHENTEL, SHORT FOR SHENANDOAH TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, IS LOCATED IN EDINBURG, VA., PROVIDES A BROAD RANGE OF DIVERSIFIED COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES THROUGH ITS HIGH SPEED, STATE-OF-THE-ART NETWORK TO CUSTOMERS IN THE MID-ATLANTIC U.S. IN A KEY RECOMMENDATION, WHITAKER URGED GOVERNMENT TO FURTHER ACCELERATE BROADBAND BUILDS BY CONTINUING TO REMOVE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BARRIERS THAT HINDER DEPLOYMENT AND, IN THE REMAINING UNSERVED AREAS, AWARDING SUBSIDIES EFFICIENTLY. WHITAKER'S FTC SLIDE DECK IS HERE. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: | AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION CHANGES NAME TO ACA AMERICA'S COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA TODAY ANNOUNCED AN HISTORIC NAME CHANGE FOR THE TRADE ORGANIZATION, WHICH REPRESENTS MORE THAN 700 SMALLER AND MEDIUM-SIZED INDEPENDENT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES. THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE TO NEARLY 350 PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING THE ASSOCIATION'S 26TH ANNUAL SUMMIT, HELD AT THE GRAND HYATT IN WASHINGTON, D.C., ON WEDNESDAY. THE NEW NAME IS ACA AMERICA'S COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION (ACA). THE NEW NAME REFLECTS A LEADING POSITION FOR THE ASSOCIATION IN THE FAST-GROWING TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY, WHERE TECHNOLOGY IS RAPIDLY CHANGING HOW INFORMATION IS PROVIDED TO AND USED BY CONSUMERS. THE ASSOCIATION'S NEW DAY-TO-DAY NAME, ACA CONNECTS, FURTHER REINFORCES THE VALUE OF THE CONNECTIONS THOSE COMMUNICATIONS ENHANCE. "IT'S ALL ABOUT THE COMMUNICATIONS AND CONNECTIONS OUR MEMBERS PROVIDE," SAID ACA CONNECTS' POLKA. "EVEN THOUGH OUR INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY ARE CHANGING SO RAPIDLY FUELED BY OUR MEMBERS' BROADBAND DEPLOYMENTS, WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT FOR OUR MEMBERS AND THEIR CUSTOMERS IS THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE FREELY AND CONNECT IN THEIR HOMES AND BUSINESSES IN COUNTLESS NEW WAYS. WITH THIS NAME CHANGE, WE'RE RECOGNIZING THAT COMMUNICATION IS THE PRIORITY, NOT THE MEDIUM." ACA CONNECTS CONTINUES ITS ADVOCACY WORK IN CLOSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE FOR ITS MEMBERS, INCLUDING EXPANDING BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT IN SOME OF THE MOST RURAL AND FINANCIALLY CHALLENGING AREAS OF THE COUNTRY, ELIMINATING GOVERNMENTAL BARRIERS TO INVESTMENT, AND PROVIDING INCREASED ACCESS TO HIGH-PERFORMANCE CONNECTIVITY. ACA SUGGESTS REASONABLE MODIFICATIONS TO TV STATION CARRIAGE ELECTION FRAMEWORK CRAFTED BY ASSOCIATIONS OF LARGE BROADCASTERS AND CABLE OPERATORS THE AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION IS RECOMMENDING MODEST CHANGES TO A PROPOSAL BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS AND NCTA THE INTERNET AND TELEVISION ASSOCIATION TO AMEND THE FCC'S BROADCAST CARRIAGE ELECTION RULES. THOSE PARTIES REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF LARGE BROADCASTERS AND CABLE OPERATORS, AND ACA SEEKS TO ENSURE THE PROPOSAL DOES NOT UNDULY BURDEN SMALL OPERATORS. "ACA GENERALLY SUPPORTS THE NAB-NCTA PLAN, WHICH INCLUDES SOME SUGGESTIONS PREVIOUSLY OFFERED BY ACA. BUT OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE PROPOSAL WOULD IMPOSE BURDENS ON SMALL PROVIDERS WITHOUT ANY OFFSETTING BENEFIT. THE LAST THING THIS PROPOSAL SHOULD DO IS IMPOSE NEW BURDENS ON THE SMALLEST CABLE OPERATORS THAT OPERATE IN ONLY A FEW MARKETS" ACA PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA SAID. "BY ADOPTING ACA'S MODIFICATIONS TO THE PROPOSAL, THESE CONCERNS CAN BE ADDRESSED." ACA, IN COMMENTS FILED ON DELAYED BASIS DUE TO THE PARTIAL SHUTDOWN OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, URGED THE FCC TO MODIFY THE NAB-NCTA PLAN TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF ITS IMPACT ON SMALL OPERATORS BEFORE ADOPTING IT. ACA APPLAUDS FCC FOR DECISION TO PRIORITIZE REIMBURSEMENT OF MVPDS AND OTHERS REGARDING THE POST-INCENTIVE AUCTION TRANSITION AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO NEW INTERNET LEGISLATION ADVANCED TODAY BY DEMOCRATIC LEADERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE: "ACA HAS ALWAYS SUPPORTED CONGRESS ENACTING OPEN INTERNET LEGISLATION THAT WOULD APPLY IN ALL JURISDICTIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO ALL FIRMS OPERATING IN THE INTERNET ECO-SYSTEM. NO ONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO BLOCK OR OTHERWISE IMPAIR BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE SUBSCRIBERS FROM ACCESSING LAWFUL CONTENT, SUBJECT TO REASONABLE NETWORK MANAGEMENT PRACTICES. "NO ONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN UNREASONABLE DISCRIMINATION OR PAID PRIORITIZATION. AND, ALL PROVIDERS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE TO CUSTOMERS KEY INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR SERVICE. "ALL OF THESE FUNDAMENTAL OPEN INTERNET PROTECTIONS CAN BE ESTABLISHED WITHOUT CONGRESS TURNING BROADBAND PROVIDERS INTO COMMON CARRIERS OR OTHERWISE SUBJECTING THEM TO OUTDATED REGULATION, WHICH WOULD DETER PROVIDERS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER PROVIDERS, FROM INVESTING IN THEIR BROADBAND NETWORKS. "ACA URGES CONGRESS TO ADOPT THESE CONSENSUS OPEN INTERNET REQUIREMENTS. THE TIME HAS COME TO SETTLE THIS DEBATE IN A WAY THAT RECOGNIZES AND BALANCES THE INTERESTS OF ALL STAKEHOLDERS." |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: | ACA SHARES SMALLER OPERATORS' PERSPECTIVES ON PROMOTING NETWORK RESILIENCY AND DISASTER RECOVERY THE AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION HAS ASKED THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION AND ITS PUBLIC SAFETY HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU TO PURSUE CONSTRUCTIVE MEASURES TO IMPROVE NETWORK RESILIENCY AND DISASTER RECOVERY IN THE WAKE OF LAST YEAR'S MAJOR STORMS. AS THE AGENCY'S WORK IN THIS AREA PROGRESSES, ACA URGES IT TO ENSURE THAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND PERSPECTIVES OF SMALLER OPERATORS ARE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT. "ACA APPLAUDS THE FCC AND THE BUREAU FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO PROMOTE THE RESILIENCY OF OUR NATION'S COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS," ACA PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA SAID. "PROVIDING RELIABLE SERVICE AND QUICKLY RECTIFYING OUTAGES ARE TOP PRIORITIES FOR ACA MEMBER COMPANIES. TO THAT END, ACA ENCOURAGES THE FCC AND THE BUREAU TO FOCUS THEIR ENERGIES ON MEASURES THAT ARE MOST LIKELY TO ADVANCE THESE OBJECTIVES." IN COMMENTS FILED ON FEB. 8, ACA SUGGESTED STEPS TO IMPROVE COORDINATION BETWEEN THE COMMUNICATIONS AND POWER SECTORS DURING EMERGENCIES. IN PARTICULAR, ACA RECOMMENDED THAT LARGE POWER COMPANIES IDENTIFY APPROPRIATE POINTS OF CONTACT FOR COORDINATION AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF A DISASTER RECOVERY AND THAT THEY SOLICIT INPUT FROM COMMUNICATIONS PROVIDERS TO INFORM THEIR RESTORATION PRIORITIES. ACA TO FCC: MAKE USF CONTRIBUTIONS FAIRER AND MORE EFFICIENT FOR SMALLER PROVIDERS THE AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION HAS ASKED THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION TO MAKE DISCRETE, TARGETED CHANGES TO THE RULES THAT GOVERN CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND (USF) TO MAKE THE PROCESS FAIRER AND LESS COSTLY FOR SMALLER OPERATORS. ACA ENCOURAGES THE FCC TO ADOPT THESE MODEST MODIFICATIONS WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY AS PART OF ITS "BIENNIAL REVIEW" OF TELECOM REGULATIONS. "EVERY TWO YEARS THE FCC MUST REVIEW ITS TELECOM RULES AND REPEAL OR MODIFY ONES THAT NO LONGER SERVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST. UNDER THE USF CONTRIBUTION RULES, SMALLER OPERATORS INCUR EXCESSIVE LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS AND OFTEN PAY MORE THAN THEIR FAIR SHARE," ACA PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA SAID. "ACA HAS IDENTIFIED STEPS THAT THE FCC CAN TAKE TO ADDRESS THESE NARROW CONCERNS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE THE AGENCY FIRST TO RESOLVE THE MANY COMPLEX QUESTIONS AT ISSUE IN ITS OPEN PROCEEDING ON CONTRIBUTIONS REFORM." IN COMMENTS FILED IN THE FCC'S BIENNIAL REVIEW PROCEEDING, ACA ENCOURAGED THE FCC TO RAISE THE DE MINIMIS CONTRIBUTIONS EXEMPTION AND TO BASE IT SOLELY ON A PROVIDER'S REVENUES RATHER THAN ON PROJECTED ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS. ACA URGES FCC TO ELIMINATE RATE REGULATION RULES FOR SMALL CABLE OPERATORS IN COMMENTS SUBMITTED TODAY, THE AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION URGED THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION TO ELIMINATE RATE REGULATION RULES FOR SMALL CABLE OPERATORS. MORE SPECIFICALLY, IT URGED THE FCC TO PROVIDE DEREGULATORY RELIEF, AT A MINIMUM, TO SYSTEMS SERVING 15,000 OR FEWER SUBS THAT ARE OWNED BY CABLE COMPANIES SERVING 400,000 OR FEWER SUBSCRIBERS. IT NOTED THAT HIGHER THRESHOLDS MAY BE APPROPRIATE. "WHATEVER JUSTIFICATION THERE MAY HAVE BEEN FOR RATE REGULATION NEARLY THIRTY YEARS AGO, NO JUSTIFICATION EXISTS TODAY BECAUSE CABLE OPERATORS COMPETE AGAINST SATELLITE COMPANIES, OTHER CABLE OPERATORS, AND ONLINE OFFERINGS LIKE DIRECTV NOW, HULU, AND YOUTUBE TV," ACA PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA SAID. "INDEED, ONLY A HANDFUL OF LARGER OPERATORS ARE STILL SUBJECT TO THE RULES AND EVEN THEY WOULD NOT BE IF THE FCC WERE TO UPDATE THE RELEVANT TEST TO ACCOUNT FOR ONLINE PROVIDERS. YET THE MERE PROSPECT OF IMPOSING THESE RULES ON SMALLER CABLE OPERATORS WOULD CAUSE SUBSTANTIAL HARM. IT'S LONG PAST TIME WE ELIMINATED THEM ONCE AND FOR ALL." ACA DESCRIBED IN DETAIL THE DIFFICULTY AND COMPLEXITY THAT IMPOSITION OF RATE REGULATION WOULD HAVE ON SMALLER CABLE OPERATORS, WHO WOULD HAVE TO ASSEMBLE AND MANIPULATE DATA FROM DECADES AGO IN ORDER TO PROPERLY COMPLETE THE RELEVANT FORMS. THEY WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY HAVE TO HIRE EXPENSIVE OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS, DIVERTING RESOURCES THAT COULD OTHERWISE BE USED TO IMPROVE PLANT OR SERVICES. ACA ALSO DESCRIBED THE FCC'S LONGSTANDING AND AMPLE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO ELIMINATE THESE RULES. ACA CONDEMNS NEXSTAR SIGNAL BLACKOUTS AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT REGARDING TV STATION BLACKOUTS INITIATED AGAINST ACA MEMBERS IN SIXTEEN MARKETS BY NEXSTAR MEDIA GROUP ON NEW YEAR'S DAY: "ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, TV STATION OWNER NEXSTAR MEDIA GROUP PULLED SIGNALS FROM SEVERAL SMALL CABLE OPERATORS, ONCE AGAIN BLACKING OUT SIGNALS TO TENS OF THOUSANDS OF VIEWERS WHO HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG. "SHAME ON NEXSTAR FOR HARMING CONSUMERS IN SMALL MARKETS AND RURAL AREAS. VIEWERS DEPEND ON THEIR SMALL CABLE OPERATORS TO RECEIVE LOCAL NEWS, WEATHER, SPORTS AND POPULAR PROGRAMMING FROM ABC, NBC, CBS, AND FOX. IT'S OUTRAGEOUS FOR HUGE CONGLOMERATES LIKE NEXSTAR TO HARM MAIN STREET CUSTOMERS IN ORDER MAKE THEIR WALL STREET LORDS A BIT RICHER. "SMALL CABLE OPERATORS ARE NOT TO BLAME. THEY ARE WILLING TO PAY HIGHER FEES TO BROADCASTERS FOR PROGRAMMING WITH DECLINING RATINGS. AND THEY ARE WILLING TO GRANT EXTENSIONS OF AGREEMENTS TO KEEP NEGOTIATING IN ORDER TO AVOID HURTING CONSUMERS. AT SOME POINT, HOWEVER, THERE MUST BE A LIMIT TO THE CRAZY PRICE INCREASES NEXSTAR WANTS CONSUMERS TO PAY." |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 1 | AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL BE ESTABLISHED WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE CHAIRPERSON, VICE CHAIRPERSON, TREASURER AND TWO (2) MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD EXCEPT WITH RESPECT TO: - THE APPROVAL OF ANY ACTION FOR WHICH THE NONPROFIT LAW ALSO REQUIRES APPROVAL OF THE MEMBERS; - THE FILING OF VACANCIES ON THE BOARD OR ON ANY COMMITTEE WHICH HAS THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD; - THE FIXING OF COMPENSATION OF THE DIRECTORS FOR SERVING ON THE BOARD OR ON ANY COMMITTEE; - THE AMENDMENT OR REPEAL OF BYLAWS OR THE ADOPTION OF NEW BYLAWS; - THE AMENDMENT OR REPEAL OF ANY RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD WHICH BY ITS EXPRESS TERMS IS NOT SO AMENDABLE OR REPEALABLE; - THE APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OR THE MEMBERS THEREOF; - THE EXPENDITURE OF CORPORATE FUNDS TO SUPPORT A NOMINEE FOR DIRECTOR AFTER THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE NOMINATED FOR DIRECTOR THAN CAN BE ELECTED; OR - WITH RESPECT TO ASSEST HELD IN CHARITABLE TRUST, THE APPROVAL OF ANY SELF-DEALING TRANSACTION AS DEFINED BY SECTION 5728 OF THE NONPROFIT LAW OR ANY SUCCESSOR SECTION THERETO, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BY LAW. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 | AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION, INC. SHALL HAVE ONE (1) CLASS OF VOTING MEMBERS. ONLY CABLE TELEVISION BUSINESSES MAY BECOME VOTING MEMBERS. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A | THE DIRECTORS SHALL BE ELECTED BY THE MEMBERS AR A REGULAR OR SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERS CALLED FOR SUCH PURPOSES OR BY WRITTEN BALLOT. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, AT ANY MEETING OF THE MEMBERS WHERE DIRECTORS ARE TO BE ELECTED, EACH MEMBER SHALL DESIGNATE A PROXY TO CAST SUCH MEMBER'S VOTE FOR DIRECTORS AT A MEETING CALLED AND HELD FOR SUCH PURPOSES. AT THE MEETING CALLED FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, EACH SUCH PROXY SHALL BE ENTITLED TO CAST THE NUMBER OF VOTES HELD FOR EACH OFFICE OF DIRECTOR TO BE FILLED, WITHOUT THE RIGHT TO CUMULATE VOTES. IN ANY ELECTION OF DIRECTORS BY MEMBERS, THE CANDIDATES RECEIVING THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF VOTES ARE ELECTED. ONLY THOSE PERSONS NOMINATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED IN THE BYLAWS MAY STAND FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTOR. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B | THE FORM 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE PRESIDENT AND CEO, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND THE TREASURER. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 | THE EVP OF FINANCE REVIEWS SEVERAL (5 OR MORE) SIMILAR ASSOCIATION FORM 990'S FOR CEO COMPENSATION. THIS INCLUDES ASSOCIATIONS BOTH IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND IN PENNSYLVANIA. THE EVP OF FINANCE PURCHASES THE CEO UPDATE SALARY GUIDE FOR NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND NON-PROFITS AND CREATES A COMPENSATION PROPOSAL FOR THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD SHARES THIS PROPOSAL WITH THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD DETERMINES THE CEO'S COMPENSATION. THE EVP OF FINANCE USES THE SAME PROCESS FOR ALL OFFICERS AND PRESENTS THE COMPENSATION SUGGESTIONS TO THE CEO. THE CEO DETERMINES THE COMPENSATION FOR ALL OTHER OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION. THE COMPENSATION FOR THE REMAINING STAFF MEMBERS IS REVIEWED BY THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS AS PART OF THE BUDGET DISCUSSION AND IS APPROVED BY THE FULL BOARD AS PART OF THE BUDGET APPROVAL. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 | NO DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. |
| FORM 990, PART VII, EMERITUS TRUSTEES: | THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS SERVE ON THE BOARD OF AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION, INC. WITH NO VOTING RIGHTS: DICK BEARD; PAT THOMPSON; COLLEEN ABDOULAH; DOUG FULLER; AND ROBER GESSNER. |
| FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: | THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ASSUMES THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OVERSIGHT OF THE AUDIT. THE PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM PRIOR YEAR. |
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Cat. No. 51056K
Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2019
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