American Consumer Institute Study Finds Older Consumers Losing Billions From Overpriced Cable TV

American Consumer Institute Study Finds Older Consumers Losing Billions From Overpriced Cable TV

Consumer Organization Studies Seniors and TV, Now Considered an Essential Link to Outside World

RESTON, Va., Oct. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- In five years, consumers will have paid $107 billion too much for cable TV services because of a lack of competition, with older consumers overpaying by $1,156 per household, according to a study released today.

The study, An Analysis of Cable TV Services: Are Older Consumers Losing Out?, finds that:

* Consumers spend more on televisions and television service, than drugs, tuition, or personal care products; * Older consumers pay a greater proportion of income for cable TV services; * Cable TV service prices have increased 7.5% per year, faster than prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs and medical supplies; and * Lack of competition is the key reason for high cable TV service prices.

Currently, wireline competitors are trying to enter the market, but face potential regulatory roadblocks. Failure of policymakers to speed market entry and encourage competition will put billions of dollars of savings on hold.

For copies of the study, visit http://www.theamericanconsumer.org/. For questions, contact Steve Pociask 703-471-3954.

About The American Consumer Institute

The Institute is an independent public policy organization committed to providing information, analysis, and public policy research to the public for the betterment of American consumers. The Institute is primarily comprised of volunteer public policy experts covering a wide range of issues. For more information about the Institute, visit http://www.theamericanconsumer.org/.

Source: The American Consumer Institute

CONTACT: Steve Pociask of The American Consumer Institute, +1-703-471-3954

Web site: http://www.theamericanconsumer.org/

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