NJ Assembly May Take Up MVPD Truth-in-Advertising Bill Next Session
A New Jersey Assembly panel will likely take up a pay-TV truth-in-advertising bill early next year, said Consumer Affairs Committee Chairman Paul Moriarty (D), in an interview. Moriarty last week proposed A-5825 to ban MVPDs and virtual ones from marketing…
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prices other than the total billable amount (see 1911070055). With few legislative days left this year, the bill probably will need to be reintroduced in January, said Moriarty. The assemblyman expects to find a Senate sponsor to carry the bill in the other chamber, he said. Moriarty said he’s responding to constituent complaints about cable bills that are sometimes $20 more than was advertised: “It’s false advertising.” Except for taxes, providers should “tell people in advertised prices what it costs to actually use the service,” he said. The proposal includes less-traditional providers like streaming services because even if they’re not doing it now, it “doesn’t mean they won’t in the future,” Moriarty said. The legislation isn’t about “trying to oversee a particular industry,” he said. “We just want truth in advertising.” A Comcast spokesperson defended itself Thursday: “The fees that broadcast stations and regional sports networks charge us to carry their content are the two fastest growing components of our overall programming costs. We clearly disclose these fees to be transparent with customers about what’s included in their bills, and we get their consent when they sign up or add services to their account.” New Jersey Broadcasters Association President Paul Rotella emailed: "Cable companies have been shortchanging free over-the-air TV broadcasters in some cases for content. I don’t think additional fees are good for consumers or the audiences broadcasters serve." AT&T/DirecTV and other pay-TV providers didn’t comment. Moriarty said he's separately “looking into” ISPs offering consumers upgrades to higher speeds for free but then charging extra for the increase 12 months later.