Kyle McSlarrow’s recent speech to The Media Institute mirrors a self-serving approach to control the pipelines, guised as a First Amendment right for ISP’s. The point Mr. McSlarrow is trying to make shakes the Freedom of Speech right for every citizen to the core. How can such rhetoric hide behind this basic citizen right in making an argument to control speeds, and content of global information sharing, the principle design of the Internet, and contention of the Net Neutrality debate? The Internet has become larger than any private company’s right to control it.

Instead of creating more controversy, the NCTA, (the right arm of the Cable TV industry), should be highlighting how these private sector companies can benefit consumers and businesses in a competitive landscape. The important issue should be how those networks will continue to upgrade infrastructure to act as a conduit for information, education, and global business competition.

The industry is not well served by its spokesperson in (drawing-a-line-in-the-sand), or trying to hijack the premise of free speech to avoid shackling of its pipelines that will clearly profit from a (lack of free speech). Unfortunately, the comments argument only drives home the need for government intervention.

Finally, to say that an industry which helped create CNN, FOX NEWS, HEADLINE NEWS, CNBC, BLOOMBERG, and other news organizations is under threat of losing its freedom of speech, is ridiculous. It has so many avenues of getting its point to the masses by creating pay content, the speech becomes an oxymoron. This is an ill-conceived speech cloaked with big business and power wanting control of the pipelines, and from an industry on the (tipping-point) of increased regulation.

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Why memorable quotes from Cable Industry executives in 2009 seemed either disconnected or a predictor of the future. Judge for yourself whether these quotes have merit or are they seriously off-track with the mainstream. Only time will tell whether these executives have done their homework, or they are just [in-the-moment] statements. As an Industry executive, should these leaders be better prepared before they speak?

Disney CEO, Robert Iger on Comcast/Time Warner Authentication for TV Everywhere – April 2009

“May be an “interesting” opportunity for consumers. On the other hand, preventing people from watching any shows online unless they were cable subscribers would engender a backlash. Important not to take away online video programming that’s already out there, and not to throttle access.”

NCTA Chief, Kyle McSlarrow: on the Cable Industry’s role in the economy – April 2009

“Fortunately, we have every reason to believe that our industry will continue to be resilient and grow. And I would go further…and say that we have a central role to play in our economic recovery as well.”

Comcast CEO, Brian Roberts: on working with programmers – April 2009

“I don’t think we should put our head in the sand,” he said. “We should allow customers to get video wherever they want. We have to have really thoughtful conversations with our partners in content and make it a win-win outcome for customers and programmers, and I think we can do that.”

Time Warner Cable CEO, Glen Britt: on Tiering Broadband Access – April 2009

“If you’re downloading a movie every day, you’ll spend more per month than someone who uses the internet just to check his or her e-mail. People could end up liking it: some will end up paying less, while those people paying more may get faster service.”

Time Warner Cable CEO, Glen Britt: on TWC subscription growth – December 2009

“Time Warner Cable increasingly hears from customers who would like to buy smaller packages of channels. As an industry, cable operators “need to listen” to those kinds of concerns.”

Time Warner Cable CEO, Glen Britt on Comcast-NBC Universal Merger: – December 2009

“What we found over the years was that there were very few synergies in being vertically integrated — in fact, the rules and regulations that control how this industry behaves are such that anything people might be tempted to do in a vertically integrated company is pretty much prohibited.”

How will these quotes hold up historically in 2010? Will they be on track with the market, or will they be (in-the-moment) statements that seem to be irrelevant for the future? Vote for the best and worst quote of the year; leave a comment.

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The National Cable Telecommunications Association and Kyle McSlarrow must be commended for their creation, in partnership with both public and private sectors, the Adoption Plus (A+) Program, “a comprehensive pilot program to promote broadband adoption in low-income households with middle school-aged children”. The aforesaid program is the kind of cutting-edge solution to Broadband Adoption that can secure our students entrance into the broadband age as global economic competition continues to stride forward in the 21^st Century.

Key elements of the program include:

• A 2-year public-private partnership to encourage broadband adoption within the Middle School environment in assisting 3.5 million students and 1.8 million households

• Eligible to middle school students in grades 6 through 9 that are participants in the (free or reduced-cost lunch through the national School Lunch Program

• Requires school districts to provide digital media literacy training to eligible students

• Participating schools must qualify students for program entry

• Offers discounted purchase of computers for students through participating manufacturers

• Offers discounted broadband service through all NCTA/ISP provider members (50% off broadband service per month for 2 years, including 50% off modem purchase, and free broadband installation

The Adoption Plus (A+) Program is targeting low income students who have the disadvantage of not having access to a broadband connection and computer for home use. Studies have proven that the use of computer/broadband access to supplement educational resources produces significantly improved results in overall test scores of those students. This clearly represents a serious move forward for the NCTA and Cable Industry in taking ownership of the needs of underprivileged children within our society to build a better educational partnership between the public and private sectors. Their creation and commitment to this program should be commended. For more information visit www.ncta.com.

Broadband Adoption: A Solution to Barriers noted by the FCC!

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NCTA’s McSlarrow Speech: Mirrors Self-Serving Control of Pipelines

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Cable Industry Executive Quotes to Remember in 2009

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