Topic: Ncta

Michael Powell, Chairman of the National Cable Television Association, delivered a keynote arguing against regulating broadband as a public utility. Powell pointed to the crumbling state of U.S. roads, water mains, and the electric grid as evidence that government utility regulation leads to decay. He contrasted these failing systems with the privately funded, rapidly expanding broadband network.

At a major cable industry panel in Las Vegas, CEOs from Time Warner and CBS (Les Moonves) discussed the future of content and technology. The hosts mock the Time Warner CEO for suggesting television was only invented 20 years ago. They also critique Moonves' comments on the DVR, noting that the industry's primary focus remains on "getting paid appropriately" and avoiding the mistakes made by the RIAA.