Sachs Calls 2000 Banner Year

Sachs Calls 2000 Banner Year

BY DAVID CONNELL

National Cable Television Association president Robert Sachs is looking back on 2000 as a banner year for the cable industry, citing increased investment in new services and regulatory victories that have kept MSOs relatively free from regulation.

In a year-end press conference, Sachs said the industry has invested $12.6 billion in infrastructure upgrades this year, ensuring that 92% of all cable homes are able to receive digital service.

He also noted cable companies will have sold 3.6 million cable modems by the end of the year.

On the regulatory front, Sachs said the industry has scored several victories in the debate over open access, securing rejections of open access provisions in several cases on the state level and avoiding Congressional action that would have made open access national policy.

He said 22 or 23 states have taken up open access measures this year, and every one of them has been tabled or rejected outright.

"The Goodlatte, Boucher bill did not gain momentum in the House or widespread support," he added.

He continues to believe the industry will see a "stable regulatory environment" and that the Federal Communications Commission will eventually find open access regulations are unnecessary.

"The FCC’s view that this is a developing market seems to be being bornout," Sachs said. "There’s also some recognition cable isn’t the only game in town."

Looking ahead, Sachs said the NCTA would be pressuring the FCC to sunset program exclusivity rules in 2002 and will be hoping the Supreme Court takes up the Florida poll attachment case.

He also said the association will monitor retransmission consent negotiations next year and will only seek legislative action on the issue if there are more public feuds similar to the Time Warner/Disney fight last year.