Minority and Arts Communities Speak Out Against Time Warner Cable

A statement from Citizens for Access to the Arts reads:

With the release of a new study exposing Time Warner Cable, Inc's unwillingness to offer customers diversified programming as evidenced by their decision to drop the Ovation channel, minority groups and arts communities are stepping out with equal outrage.

The survey, which polled Hispanic and African-American Time Warner Cable, Inc. subscribers in both New York and Los Angeles, revealed that over two-thirds of respondents (67%) and nearly three-quarters of Hispanics (74%) said that it's important to have the arts available to them in their communities. Unfortunately, only half of those polled (52%) reported that these activities are readily available to them. The study also demonstrated that for underserved communities with limited access to live arts, availability through television programming represents a necessary and beneficial alternative.

As news spreads of the study's disturbing findings, the number of participants fighting for justice continues to amplify. Teaming together to combat Time Warner Cable, Inc.'s discriminatory practices, seemingly unlikely groups are finding support in what is becoming a truly united effort.

"I am deeply saddened by Time Warner Cable's refusal to provide minority communities with quality programming," stated Bertha Lewis, President and Founder of The Black Institute. "It is disturbing to witness the yearly destruction of creative expression on the part of cable networks. Our young generations rely on the subsistence of art to not only better themselves, but to better the future of our communities. It is unfathomable to think that Time Warner Cable would willingly substitute this necessity to satisfy demands for mindless reality television."

Tomorrow, January 10, 2013 at 12noon at Brooklyn Borough Hall Citizens for Access to the Arts, a coalition of organizations and individuals committed to the preservation of available arts outlets, will voice their concern over Time Warner Cable, Inc.'s decision to drop Ovation, the only cable network dedicated to arts and artistic expression, and often the only form of access to arts and culture for minority and disadvantaged communities. Rosie Perez, Artistic Board Chair of the Urban Arts Program and renowned American actress, will kick off the conference as the events keynote speaker. Followed by local elected officials and several arts groups, Perez and other stakeholders will emphasize public concern over Time Warner Cable's programming practices.

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