Cable and Other Multichannel Video Program Distributors (MVPDs)

Patton Boggs’ TechComm Group has a long history of representing cable companies and their principal trade association, advising cable operators serving more than 90 percent of the nation’s cable television households and more than 200 cable program networks. We counsel cable clients on legislative and regulatory strategies regarding cable service, cable programming, telephony, and broadband. We provided cable and MVPD clients with a voice in virtually every congressional initiative to rewrite the Communications Act, including the 1992 Cable Act, the 1996 Telecommunications Act, and FCC implementation of these initiatives.

Since implementation of the 1996 Telecommunications Act we have assisted cable and MVPD clients to achieve major legislative victories in Congress including the Internet Tax Moratorium, digital piracy protection, patent reform, and enactment of laws against illegal spamming. We assist clients in drafting testimony and prepare witnesses for testifying before U.S. Senate and House Commerce and Judiciary Committees.

We also represent cable and MVPD clients with respect to programming contracts, copyright statements of account, retransmission consent agreements, and must-carry agreements. We draft and negotiate customer and bulk sales subscription agreements, Multiple Dwelling Unit (MDU) agreements, right-of-way agreements, site leases, and provide state and federal regulatory advice with respect to such agreements.