Members of Congress Move to Protect Minority TV Viewers

Washington, Jul 20, 2011 -
Members of Congress Move to Protect Minority TV Viewers
July 20, 2011

Did you know that African-American, Hispanic and Spanish-language dominant households are more likely to rely on free, over-the-air TV (using an antenna versus paying for a monthly cable or satellite subscription) than other households?*

In fact, five million African-American and nine million Hispanic viewers rely on free over-the-air television.

Thankfully, members of Congress have recognized any spectrum legislation that does not address the needs of these viewers would have the unintended consequence of hurting these communities—as well as millions of other Americans—by giving them less access to the local news, weather, lifesaving emergency information and programming they currently enjoy for free.

Reps. Bobby Rush (IL-01), Ed Towns (NY-10), G.K. Butterfield (NC-01) and Donna Christenson (VI-AL) have expressed their concerns to congressional leaders on behalf of the African-American community. Meanwhile, Reps. Francisco Canseco (TX-23)...

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