Consumers Union Slams STAVRA Integration Ban Provision as 'Cable Giveaway'

Consumers Union slammed the Senate Commerce Committee’s legislation to reauthorize the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act. The Satellite Television Access and Viewer Rights Act (S-2799), unanimously approved by Commerce in September, includes “a special-interest cable giveaway,” said Consumers Union on its website Friday (http://bit.ly/1p97xHf), singling out STAVRA’s repeal of the set-top box integration ban. NCTA has lobbied for the provision, which TiVo and some other groups have opposed. “Cable companies might think they can get away with this tactic, but we’re fighting back,” Consumers Union said, saying it's “putting pressure on Congress to stop this industry maneuver, and we’re going to keep shining a spotlight on the issue to help ensure you get a better deal. Stay tuned.” Consumers Union suspects the issue “is likely to come to a head after the November midterm elections, when lawmakers plan to return to Washington for a lame-duck session,” it said. STELA expires Dec. 31. “It's unfortunate that Consumer Reports has been misled about the negative impact that the integration ban has had on millions of cable customers who have been forced to spend over a billion dollars for an unnecessary tech mandate that wastes energy and provides no benefit,” an NCTA spokesman told us in response. “Consumer Reports should overwhelmingly support this measure.”