Pat McAdaragh Elected Chairman of the Board and Warner Bros. Discovery’s Kathleen Finch Joins NCTA Board
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Pat McAdaragh, Chair & CEO, Midco, was elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors of NCTA – The Internet & Television Association (NCTA). The election took place on June 22, 2022. In addition, the following officers were elected: Tom Rutledge, Chairman & CEO, Charter Communications, as Vice Chairman; Mark Greatrex, President, Cox Communications, Inc., as Treasurer; and Bob Bakish, President & CEO, Paramount Global, as Secretary. NCTA’s outgoing Chairman Dave Watson, President & CEO, Comcast Cable, and Senior EVP, Comcast Corporation, will serve as Immediate Past Chairman
Statement of Michael Powell, President & CEO, NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, Regarding Grant Spellmeyer Named as New President of ACA Connects
“I would like to offer my congratulations to both ACA and Grant Spellmeyer on today’s announcement. Grant is taking the helm of ACA at a very important time for the industry as we all work on the important mission of connecting every American to broadband. We wish Grant all the best on his transition to ACA and look forward to working closely with him and his team on these important issues.”
Statement of NCTA – The Internet & Television Association Regarding NTIA Broadband Funding Guidance
“With release of today’s Notices of Funding Opportunity by NTIA, the country marks another important milestone on our national journey to promote digital equity and connect unserved Americans to robust broadband service. With networks that now reach over 80% of American homes with gigabit-capable technology and comprehensive broadband adoption programs, cable internet providers are continuing to expand private efforts and work in partnership with government officials to shrink the digital divide. We look forward to reviewing the notices and continuing to engage with policymakers as plans are
Statement of Michael Powell, President & CEO, NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, Regarding Matt Polka Stepping Down from ACA Connects
“The cable industry will miss Matt’s leadership, integrity and effective representation, and I’ll miss his friendship and collegiality that makes him such a great advocate for his members. Matt’s 25 years of leading ACA Connects is a remarkable tenure in which the industry faced significant policy battles and he tackled every issue with a calm demeanor and steady hand. Congratulations to Matt on his upcoming retirement and we wish him all the best in the coming months and the next chapter of his life.”
NCTA Announces New Additions to Legal and Government Relations Teams
Washington, D.C. – NCTA – The Internet & Television Association today announced the addition of Kyle Dixon, Jeff Freeland and Becky Tangren to its Legal and Government Relations teams. Additionally, NCTA announced the promotion of Lee Friedman to Deputy Chief, Federal Legislative Affairs. NCTA welcomes Kyle Dixon as Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Program Network Policy. Prior to joining NCTA, Dixon served as Vice President, Public Policy for WarnerMedia where he advised the Warner Bros., HBO and Turner businesses regarding federal agencies and Congress on a variety of policy and
NCTA – The Internet & Television Association Statements Regarding the March 2022 FCC Meeting
NCTA Statement Regarding the FCC’s Proceeding on Resolving Pole Replacement Disputes: “Expediting access to utility poles is a critical element of extending broadband to unserved communities and closing the digital divide. As our industry works diligently to build gigabit networks in communities that have yet to be connected, we join with a wide range of parties including broadband providers, school and libraries, and public interest groups in applauding the FCC for initiating this proceeding. If we are to accomplish universal connectivity in America in the coming years, further action to help
Statement of Michael Powell, President & CEO, NCTA – The Internet & Television Association Regarding the White House Broadband Adoption Announcement
The White House announcement can be found here. “As the nation’s leading broadband industry, we join the Administration in celebrating the milestone of connecting ten million households to the internet via the subsidy program that Congress included in last year’s infrastructure legislation. For the past decade, over 14 million consumers have subscribed to the internet via NCTA member company broadband adoption programs which include low-cost services of $10 – $20 per month, discounts for computers and digital skills and literacy training. Cable broadband providers strongly supported inclusion
Statement of NCTA – The Internet & Television Association Regarding Support of the Connect Unserved Americans Act
“We strongly support Sen. Thune’s bipartisan Connect Unserved Americans Act which increases the USDA ReConnect Program’s unserved requirement for funding provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act from 50% to 80%. The legislation also requires the Treasury Department to coordinate with the USDA, NTIA and the FCC to ensure each of those government agencies' broadband programs are working effectively with each other to not duplicate funding in communities where a grant or loan has already been provided. Senators Thune, Smith, Wicker, and Casey deserve credit for standing up for
Statement of Michael Powell, President & CEO, NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, Regarding U.S. Senate Confirmation of Alan Davidson to lead the NTIA
“We congratulate Alan Davidson on his approval by the Senate to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Alan will play a critical role in overseeing the implementation of the billions of dollars of funding for broadband construction included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. With the tens of billions of dollars dedicated to broadband infrastructure, America has an historic opportunity to accomplish universal connectivity but only if the funds are targeted where they are needed most and the program does not stray from its intent of connecting
Statement of NCTA – The Internet & Television Association Regarding the D.C. Circuit Order in 6 GHz Appeal
“NCTA is gratified that the D.C. Circuit has upheld virtually all of the Federal Communications Commission’s 6 GHz Order. Because of the Commission’s unanimous, bipartisan 6 GHz Order, U.S. consumers will soon have greater access to next-generation Wi-Fi technology to meet their rapidly growing need for broadband internet access. The Commission’s carefully crafted technical rules ensure that these new technologies, which are already entering the marketplace, can flourish without causing harmful interference to licensed users in the band. The Court’s decision on the Commission’s 6 GHz Order