Sanders to FCC: Let's Cut the Rising Cost of Cable TV in Vermont

Comcast has been raising rates on its most basic cable package year after year, despite the recession which hit Vermonters (and the nation) more than three years ago. Sen. Bernie Sanders, angered by escalating cable rates, asked the Federal Communications Commission to let Vermont regulate basic cable television rates as a way to protect Vermonters from a never-ending spiral of rate increases.

"Comcast has at least 113,000 subscribers in Vermont," Sanders wrote to the FCC. "Many of these are captive customers, and for this reason, Comcast has been able to raise its rates again and again without justification."

Last year, Comcast boosted basic cable prices in Vermont by an average of almost 10 percent. The largest price hike was $3.25 a month- a 28 percent increase - for Lake Champlain Island communities.

At the end of 2009, just two of Comcast's 10 Vermont service areas charged more than $20 a month for basic cable packages. One year later, at the end of 2010, Comcast charged more than $20 a month in six of its 10 service areas. Monthly prices for basic cable rose by at least 10 percent in four Vermont service areas, despite the fact Comcast offered fewer channels in these areas than a year earlier. Consumers, it is clear, are paying more - and getting less.

The FCC claims that satellite providers, such as DirectTV and DISH Network provide "effective competition" to cable. Sanders wrote to the FCC that in many areas of Vermont this is not at all the case. Satellite is not available to many Vermont homes because of our mountainous terrain. Often, Sanders pointed out, satellite services fail to offer local programming or public channels.

"Supposed competition from satellite has failed to hold down Comcast's rate," Sanders wrote in asking that the state be allowed to regulate basic cable rates.

Read Bernie's letter to the FCC (pdf) »

Watch Bernie address rising cable rates on Fox44 »