politics of cable regulation: The passage of the 1992 Cable Act

The re-regulation of cable television in 1992 represented an end to the deregulatory policies that had become an integral part of government during the Reagan-Bush administrations. Deregulation had turned the fledgling cable industry into a giant $20 million unregulated monopoly which had boosted cable rates skyhigh and turned a deaf ear to customers' complaints about shoddy service. After years of political wheeling and dealing, compromising and debate, Congress finally re-regulated the cable industry, under pressure from an unusual coalition comprised of consumers, senior citizens, cable competitors and the broadcasting industry. These groups combined their political strength and won their battle against the powerful cable lobby, which had been joined in its fight against re-regulation by Hollywood film studios.