Remote Control: Regulating The Cable Industry

25:59

May 12, 2011

Comcast, the nation's largest cable television operator, at work (AP)

If you get cable, chances are you're a customer of the nation's largest cable provider, Comcast. In Boston, Comcast is the dominant cable company. In fact, it's so dominant, Mayor Thomas Menino says the company has jacked up basic cable rates by 60 percent in the past three years.

On Monday, Menino filed an emergency petition with the FCC requesting that the city of Boston regain authority to regulate cable rates.

Guests:

Barbara Anthony, undersecretary, Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
Christian Sandvig, professor of communications, University of Illinois; fellow, Harvard's Berkman Center for Internet and Society

This program aired on May 12, 2011.