Cable-TV Price Inflation Due to Lack of Competition, PK Says

Cable-TV bills are rising fast because of lack of competition, Public Knowledge Technology and Policy Fellow Katrina Worsham blogged Friday. A small number of cable operators "overwhelmingly dominate," and in many locations face little to no meaningful competition, she said: Cable operators reduce the competitive threat from direct broadcast satellite and online video providers by bundling video and broadband subscriptions. “Is this 2018 or 1998?" NCTA emailed us Tuesday. "Public Knowledge must somehow have missed the last two decades of marketplace developments which provide consumers with literally dozens of ways and price points to enjoy the video content of their choosing.” Earlier this month, the FCC reported on 2015 price increases (see 1802120026).