May 8, 2008

Mediacom Rep Speaks Before Congress

Testifying before a House Small Business Subcommittee on behalf of the American Cable Association, Edward S. Pardini, senior vice president of operations for the North Central Division of Mediacom Communications, urged Congress to put an end to discriminatory practices of broadcasters against independent operators and to ensure uninterrupted cable service to customers. The hearing, held in the Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology of the House Small Business Committee, focused on the role small businesses will play in the upcoming Digital Television transition - scheduled for February 2009.

During his testimony (Available here), Mr. Pardini cautioned the committee about the potential confusion and disruption of service that may be caused by retransmission consent negotiations between broadcasters and operators scheduled for roughly the same time as the 2009 transition.