Spikes in Cable Rates Set Off Anger (USAToday.com): “The possibility of a federal showdown over rising cable prices — and the rigor of the Federal Communications Commission’s oversight of the industry — grew Tuesday after the FCC reported that prices rose more than five times faster than inflation in the year ended July 2002. Rates for the most popular basic package — including CNN, ESPN, MTV and other top channels — soared 8.2%, to $40.11 a month, while the cost of living was up 1.5%. While the FCC’s controversial report relies on year-old data, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says cable prices jumped an additional 5.3%, compared with overall inflation of about 2%, in the 12 months ended in May.”
Needed: Deflation in Cable Rates
