REP LIEU LEADS LETTER TO CABLE PROVIDERS ON AAPI PROGRAMMING
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County), Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Whip, led nine other Members of Congress in calling on the six largest cable companies in the country to expand their AAPI program offerings.
A 2021 Pew Research study found that the Asian American population nearly doubled between 2000 and 2019, and is projected to surpass 46 million by 2060, making it the fastest-growing racial or ethnic group in the United States. However, there are currently no non-premium Asian language channels being offered nationally by these six cable distributors.
The letter, sent to the CEOs of Altice USA, Charter Communications, Comcast, Cox Communications, DISH Network, and Verizon, expresses the need for increased AAPI access and representation in cable television content. The letter was also signed by Reps. Judy Chu, Grace Meng, Mark Takano, Dina Titus, Susie Lee, Alan Lowenthal, Thomas Suozzi, Pramila Jayapal, and Andy Kim.
In the letter, the Members write:
As Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus ("CAPAC"), we write today to request that DISH Network expand the availability of Asian American and Pacific Islander ("AAPI") television programming across the country. Culturally specific and in-language programming brings comfort, empowerment, and a sense of belonging to viewers from these communities. For those outside of the AAPI community, AAPI-specific television programming can provide positive exposure to new cultures and help combat discrimination and harmful stereotyping against AAPIs.
According to data from the 2020 U.S. Census, the Asian population is the fastest growing racial group in the United States, having grown nearly 36 percent over the past 10 years. However, there are no non-premium Asian language channels currently being carried nationally by major multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs).
Cable providers like DISH Network have the ability to uplift AAPI voices and inform the public on critical issues and news that uniquely affect AAPI communities. Therefore, we ask that you provide the following information regarding what you are doing to ensure that our communities have access to AAPI-specific programming:
- What steps are you taking to increase the number of non-premium Asian language channels you distribute?
- Do you have plans to expand any current in-language programming to additional markets with growing Asian populations?
- What issues or barriers do you face in carrying AAPI-specific television programming?
- Would you like to provide any other information regarding AAPI-specific television content and your efforts regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion in relation to the AAPI community?
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE LETTER HERE
Note: this letter was also sent to Mr. Hans Vestberg, CEO of Verizon, Mr. Dennis Mathew, CEO of Altice USA, Mr. Chris Winfrey, CEO of Charter Communications, Mr. Brian L. Roberts, CEO of Comcast, and Mr. Pat Esser, CEO of Cox Communications.
###