Consumers for Cable Choice Extends Broadband Contest

Consumers for Cable Choice Extends Broadband Contest

Top 2 Entries to be Awarded new Apple Video iPods

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Responding to today's launch of the much anticipated Apple video iPod, Consumers for Cable Choice extended its contest designed to showcase the potential applications of true broadband technology.

When the national consumer group launched its "What True Broadband Means to Me" (http://www.consumers4choice.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Contest) video contest on September 6, 2005, it offered contestants the opportunity to win the not-yet-available video iPod. The Consumers for Cable Choice Web site received nearly 10,000 visitors shortly after the announcement and caused rampant blog discussion about the contest and the coveted new device. Deadline for entry was originally set for October 18, 2005, but has been extended to November 2, 2005.

"Today's announcement is proof that next-generation technology is closer than many of us imagined, and it will be available to the public through interactive video technology. Because there is so much interest in the video iPod, we are extending our contest and offering prizes now to two winners," said Robert K. Johnson, president of Consumers for Cable Choice. "This product shows what a competitive and agile marketplace can produce, and we think the cable television industry will be revolutionized -- technologically speaking -- when it is opened to competition."

The Consumers for Cable Choice contest is designed to give American policymakers and consumers clear examples of how high-speed, interactive video can improve the delivery of social and community services, information and business and retail transactions. To be eligible to win, contestants must create a short video explaining how they would use true broadband (also referred to as interactive video) in new, creative and useful ways. Examples could include:

* Video broadcasts of Amber Alerts to help find abducted children * Virtual house calls that enable doctors to check on house-bound patients * Distance learning/business transactions for people with disabilities * Interactive sports, business and entertainment programming

Video should be no longer than 2.5 minutes and be formatted as MPEG or QuickTime files. Entries will be accepted via the Consumers for Cable Choice Web site (http://www.consumers4choice.org/). Ten semi-finalists will have their videos posted online for public voting and the winner will be announced November 22, 2005. See the Consumers for Cable Choice Web site for full details and official rules. iPod is a registered trademark of Apple Computer Inc.

About Consumers for Cable Choice, Inc.

Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind. Consumers for Cable Choice is a national alliance of consumer advocacy groups, private citizens and others who are committed to promoting maximum choice for consumers in cable, video and broadband services. Its mission is to actively remove the regulatory roadblocks that stand between today's monopolies and reformed government policies that open the channels for fair competition. Consumers for Cable Choice uses a combination of education and grassroots advocacy to impact change, which will result in a deregulated and pro-consumer market that stimulates fair price, more choices and better service options in the cable television industry. President Robert K. Johnson has been advocating for policies that benefit residential and small business consumers for more than 20 years.

Media Contact: Cheryl Reed Synergy Marketing Group, Inc. (317) 205-9690 cherylreed@synergy-mg.com

Source: Consumers for Cable Choice, Inc.

CONTACT: Cheryl Reed of Synergy Marketing Group, Inc., +1-317-205-9690, cherylreed@synergy-mg.com, for Consumers for Cable Choice, Inc.

Web site: http://www.consumers4choice.org/

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