Some longtime cable rate critics will get another chance to publicly criticize cable rates.
Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), chair and ranking member, respectively, of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, confirmed they will hold a hearing June 23 at 10 a.m. on the state of the pay TV industry, signaling their displeasure with it.
“Consumers in every corner of the country share common experiences about fending for themselves against customer service and billing practices by TV providers that are at best confusing, and at worst deceptive,” they said in a joint statement. “For more than a year, we have conducted a bipartisan investigation of the largest cable and satellite TV companies. We believe our hearing will be a big step forward for consumers, allowing them to understand how their TV providers really work and make informed decisions about their video service.”
McCaskill, who formerly chaired the Senate Commerce Committee's Consumer Protection subcommittee, has been hammering the cable industry on rates and customer service for years; her actons have included trying to amend STELAR, the satellite reauthorization bill, to include provisions to put cable's feet to the fire. Another veteran cable rate critic, Republican John McCain (R-ARiz.) is also on the subcommittee.
McCaskill's office said the hearing will focus on billing, fees, refunds and customer service issues and is part of a general inquiry, which will extend into the fall, into potential barriers to competition .
No witnesses were identified, but they are said to represent more than 70 million subscribers and more than 70% of pay TV households.
The senators cited the recent American Customer Satisfaction Index survey, which found pay TV near the bottom of those industries surveyed, following the previous year's finding that pay TV was tied for the lowest score.
