HITN to FCC: It's Time for a National Cable Public Interest Tier

WASHINGTON, May 4 /PRNewswire/ -- At the Friday, April 30, 2010, FCC workshop on the Future of Media, Hispanic Information & Telecommunications Network, Inc. (HITN) founder & CEO Jose Luis Rodriguez, outlined the challenges it faces in attempting to serve diverse audiences.

"When we do secure carriage on an individual cable system, we are often segregated into what I call the 'digital ghetto' where a viewer needs to subscribe to a premium digital service and obtain a digital set-top box to gain access to our educational programming," said HITN founder and CEO, Jose Rodriguez. "To their credit, Dish, DirecTV, Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-verse have provided national carriage.  We are continuing our constructive dialogue with Comcast with the hope that we can bring our unique programming to their large Latino audience."

Rodriguez added:  "Cable distribution is daunting.  An agreement with a major cable provider is only a 'hunting license' to seek carriage from local managers.  Large media providers have little trouble being carried, while independent non-profit networks hear a familiar refrain from cable that there is 'No Room at the Inn.'"  

HITN – Filling a Gap

HITN fills a critical gap in the media landscape.  It provides high-quality, entertaining educational, instructional and cultural programming, which is desperately needed and sought by the Latino community.

HITN is also the largest single holder of EBS (educational broadband system) spectrum and is working with Clearwire and Sprint to provide the educational and non-profit sectors with 4-G broadband services.

Through its innovative CBOs Connect project, Community Based Organizations, as well as schools and libraries, are linked through HITN's broadband network to create a virtual learning environment.

During the workshop today, HITN addressed why it is so important that the FCC focus on non-profit sector broadcasters like HITN, which are outside the current family of PBS stations.  Non-profit programming sources are more important than ever as both the public and private broadcasters consolidate and expand their brands.  

Additional information about HITN TV can be found online at www.hitn.tv

About HITN

The Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network, Inc. (HITN) was established in 1983 as a private non-profit organization to create a network of non-commercial telecommunications facilities to advance the educational, social, cultural, and economic aspirations of Hispanics. Today HITN-TV remains the first and only media conduit offering educational, enriching and empowering content to our nation's fastest growing ethnic group. HITN is available on Dish Network; DirecTV; Time Warner Cable (NY, NJ, and TX); Comcast (IL, CO); Charter (CA, NV, WA, GA); AT&T U-verse and Verizon FiOS nationwide. For more information please visit www.hitn.org

HITN: CELEBRATING 27 YEARS AS AMERICA'S FIRST PUBLIC TELEVISION NETWORK FOR LATINOS

SOURCE Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network, Inc.