AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION INC: Form 990, tax year 2017

View the entire original 990 at ProPublica ↗

Organization
AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION INC (EIN 94-3180176)
Tax period
2017-01-01 to 2017-12-31
Filed
2018-11-13
IRS object ID
201813179349300011
Schema version
2017v2.3
Source
Download XML · Original 990 at ProPublica

Every field in the e-filed return. Faint text is the IRS element name, for citing.

Return header ReturnHeader

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Return2018-11-13T06:36:24-06:00ReturnTs
Tax Period End2017-12-31TaxPeriodEndDt

Preparer Firm PreparerFirmGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Preparer Firm EIN251408703PreparerFirmEIN

Preparer Firm Name PreparerFirmName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name Line1SCHNEIDER DOWNS & CO INCBusinessNameLine1Txt

Preparer US Address PreparerUSAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line1ONE PPG PLACE SUITE 1700AddressLine1Txt
CityPITTSBURGHCityNm
State AbbreviationPAStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP15222ZIPCd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Return Type990ReturnTypeCd
Tax Period Begin2017-01-01TaxPeriodBeginDt

Filer Filer

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
EIN943180176EIN

Business Name BusinessName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name Line1AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION INCBusinessNameLine1Txt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name ControlAMERBusinessNameControlTxt
Phone4129228300PhoneNum

US Address USAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line1875 GREENTREE RD 7 PKWY CTR NO 755AddressLine1Txt
CityPITTSBURGHCityNm
State AbbreviationPAStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP15220ZIPCd

Business Officer BusinessOfficerGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
PersonMATTHEW M POLKAPersonNm
Person TitlePRESIDENT & CEOPersonTitleTxt
Phone4129228300PhoneNum
Signature2018-11-05SignatureDt
Discuss With Paid PreparerYes (1)DiscussWithPaidPreparerInd

Preparer Person PreparerPersonGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Preparer PersonEUGENE J LOGANPreparerPersonNm
PTINP00227231PTIN
Phone4122613644PhoneNum

Filing Security Information FilingSecurityInformation

IP Address IPAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
I Pv4 Address208.79.164.82IPv4AddressTxt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
IP2018-11-05IPDt
IP Tm08:25:51IPTm
IP TimezoneESIPTimezoneCd
Filing License TypePFilingLicenseTypeCd
At Submission Creation Device Id0395E11EB06D780ECFC245D51E1B24F35389E13EAtSubmissionCreationDeviceId
At Submission Filing Device Id9B917A9CD890140E230CF96B6B707F00B463B466AtSubmissionFilingDeviceId
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Tax2017TaxYr
Build TS2019-02-21 02:37:17ZBuildTS

Form 990 IRS990

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Principal OfficerMATTHEW M POLKAPrincipalOfficerNm

US Address USAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line1875 GREENTREE RD 7 PKWY CTR NO 755AddressLine1Txt
CityPITTSBURGHCityNm
State AbbreviationPAStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP15220ZIPCd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Gross Receipts$5,773,322GrossReceiptsAmt
Group Return For Affiliates0GroupReturnForAffiliatesInd
Organization501cYes (X)Organization501cInd
Website AddressWWW.AMERICANCABLE.ORGWebsiteAddressTxt
Type Of Organization CorpYes (X)TypeOfOrganizationCorpInd
Formation1993FormationYr
Legal Domicile StatePALegalDomicileStateCd
Activity Or MissionPROTECTION AND ADVANCEMENT OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUSINESSES BY INFORMING AND EDUCATING LEGISLATORS, REGULATORS, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE UNIQUE NEEDS, INTERESTS AND THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THESE SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES, AS WELL AS THE BENEFITS PROVIDED TO THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE. ACA ALSO PROVIDES REGULATORY, TECHNICAL AND INDUSTRY INFORMATION TO ITS MEMBERS.ActivityOrMissionDesc
Voting Members Governing Body19VotingMembersGoverningBodyCnt
Voting Members Independent19VotingMembersIndependentCnt
Total Employee9TotalEmployeeCnt
Total Volunteers22TotalVolunteersCnt
Total Gross UBI$0TotalGrossUBIAmt
Net Unrelated Bus Txbl Incm$0NetUnrelatedBusTxblIncmAmt
PY Contributions Grants$0PYContributionsGrantsAmt
CY Contributions Grants$0CYContributionsGrantsAmt
PY Program Service Revenue$5,879,922PYProgramServiceRevenueAmt
CY Program Service Revenue$5,745,463CYProgramServiceRevenueAmt
PY Investment Income$14,990PYInvestmentIncomeAmt
CY Investment Income$17,344CYInvestmentIncomeAmt
PY Other Revenue$1,622PYOtherRevenueAmt
CY Other Revenue$979CYOtherRevenueAmt
PY Total Revenue$5,896,534PYTotalRevenueAmt
CY Total Revenue$5,763,786CYTotalRevenueAmt
PY Grants And Similar Paid$0PYGrantsAndSimilarPaidAmt
CY Grants And Similar Paid$0CYGrantsAndSimilarPaidAmt
PY Benefits Paid To Members$0PYBenefitsPaidToMembersAmt
CY Benefits Paid To Members$0CYBenefitsPaidToMembersAmt
PY Salaries Comp Emp Bnft Paid$1,650,717PYSalariesCompEmpBnftPaidAmt
CY Salaries Comp Emp Bnft Paid$1,716,583CYSalariesCompEmpBnftPaidAmt
PY Total Prof Fndrsng Expns$0PYTotalProfFndrsngExpnsAmt
CY Total Prof Fndrsng Expns$0CYTotalProfFndrsngExpnsAmt
CY Total Fundraising Expense$0CYTotalFundraisingExpenseAmt
PY Other Expenses$4,172,254PYOtherExpensesAmt
CY Other Expenses$3,931,985CYOtherExpensesAmt
PY Total Expenses$5,822,971PYTotalExpensesAmt
CY Total Expenses$5,648,568CYTotalExpensesAmt
PY Revenues Less Expenses$73,563PYRevenuesLessExpensesAmt
CY Revenues Less Expenses$115,218CYRevenuesLessExpensesAmt
Total Assets BOY$2,855,989TotalAssetsBOYAmt
Total Assets EOY$3,004,462TotalAssetsEOYAmt
Total Liabilities BOY$458,074TotalLiabilitiesBOYAmt
Total Liabilities EOY$489,345TotalLiabilitiesEOYAmt
Net Assets Or Fund Balances BOY$2,397,915NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOYAmt
Net Assets Or Fund Balances EOY$2,515,117NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOYAmt
Info In Schedule O Part IIIYes (X)InfoInScheduleOPartIIIInd
MissionTHE AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION, INC. (ACA) PURPOSE SHALL BE THE PROTECTION AND ADVANCEMENT OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUSINESSES BY INFORMING AND EDUCATING LEGISLATORS, REGULATORS, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE UNIQUE NEEDS, INTERESTS AND THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THESE SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES, AS WELL AS THE BENEFITS PROVIDED TO THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE. ACA ALSO PROVIDES REGULATORY, TECHNICAL AND INDUSTRY INFORMATION TO ITS MEMBERS.MissionDesc
Significant New Program Srvc0SignificantNewProgramSrvcInd
Significant Change0SignificantChangeInd
DescACA IS IN ITS 24TH YEAR SERVING MEMBERS AND ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF INDEPENDENT CABLE COMPANIES SO THEY CAN DELIVER THE BEST IN ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO CONNECT HOMETOWN AMERICA.KEY DEVELOPMENTS 2017HOUSE PASSAGE OF SMALL BUSINESS ENHANCED TRANSPARENCY EXEMPTION BILLTHE US HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES PASSED THE SMALL BUSINESS BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT ACT. THE BILL INCLUDES A SMALL BUSINESS EXEMPTION FROM THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION'S OPEN INTERNET ENHANCED REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. THE TEMPORARY EXEMPTION IS TO LAST FIVE YEARS AND INCREASES THE EXEMPTION-ELIGIBILITY THRESHOLD TO 250,000 OR FEWER BROADBAND SUBSCRIBERS FROM THE 100,000 OR FEWER BROADBAND SUBSCRIBERS PROVIDED BY THE FCC:BECAUSE THE FCC'S TEMPORARY EXEMPTION FOR SMALL ISPS UNEXPECTEDLY EXPIRED LAST MONTH, LEAVING SMALL PROVIDERS SUBJECT TO COMPLIANCE WITH THE ENHANCED OBLIGATIONS ON JANUARY 17, ACA APPRECIATES THE HOUSE'S ACTION TO ADOPT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD NOT ONLY REINSTATE THE EXEMPTION BUT EXPAND IT TO MORE BROADLY COVER SMALL ISPS. FCC APPROVAL OF N.Y. STATE'S WAIVER PETITION TO GAIN CAF SUPPORTACA APPRECIATES THE DILIGENT REVIEW CONDUCTED AND BALANCED DECISION REACHED BY THE FCC IN APPROVING NEW YORK STATE'S PETITION FOR A WAIVER TO ACCESS CONNECT AMERICA FUND SUPPORT. NEW YORK HAS ONE-UPPED THE FCC BY INSTITUTING A PROGRAM TO BRING BROADBAND SERVICE WITH PERFORMANCE CAPABILITIES THAT EXCEED THOSE REQUIRED BY THE FCC TO UNSERVED AREAS WHILE ENSURING GOVERNMENT MONEY IS USED EFFICIENTLY AND ACCOUNTABLY. MOREOVER, NEW YORK IS CHIPPING IN SUBSTANTIAL ADDITIONAL FUNDING. THAT FORWARD-LOOKING APPROACH, WHICH GREATLY BENEFITS NEW YORK RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITIES, SHOULD BE REWARDED. SO LONG AS THOSE ROBUST REQUIREMENTS ARE MET, THE FCC SHOULD PERMIT OTHER STATES TO JOIN NEW YORK IN PARTNERING IN THE CONNECT AMERICA FUND PROGRAM.FCC VOTE ON ENHANCED TRANSPARENCYACA APPLAUDS THE FCC FOR REINSTATING, EXTENDING, AND EXPANDING THE SMALL INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER (ISP) EXEMPTION FROM THE OPEN INTERNET ENHANCED TRANSPARENCY REQUIREMENTS. THE FCC'S ACTION WAS CLEARLY WARRANTED. AS ACA AND OTHERS DEMONSTRATED - AND AS A BI-PARTISAN GROUP OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FOUND - APPLICATION OF THESE REQUIREMENTS TO SMALL ISPS WOULD IMPOSE UNREASONABLE COSTS ON THEM WHILE PROVIDING LITTLE, IF ANY, BENEFIT FOR END USERS AND EDGE PROVIDERS. ACA THANKS CHAIRMAN PAI AND COMMISSIONER O'RIELLY FOR ACTING SO SWIFTLY TO REMOVE THE UNCERTAINTY SMALL ISPS HAVE LIVED UNDER FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS. ACA ALSO THANKS COMMISSIONER CLYBURN, WHO UNDERSTOOD THE BURDENS THE ENHANCED REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED ON SMALL ISPS AND WHO WORKED DILIGENTLY SINCE LAST FALL TO TRY TO FASHION A CONSENSUS SOLUTION.PART III - ORGANIZATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2017SENATE PASSAGE OF FLAKE RESOLUTION VOIDING FCC'S BROADBAND PRIVACY RULESACA IS VERY PLEASED THE SENATE VOTED TO USE THE CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW ACT (CRA) TO NULLIFY THE FCC'S BROADBAND PRIVACY REGULATIONS. ACA THANKS SEN. JEFF FLAKE (R-ARIZ.) AND HIS MANY SENATE CO-SPONSORS OF THE CRA RESOLUTION FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP ROLE IN ELIMINATING REGULATIONS THAT AS APPLIED TO SMALLER BROADBAND PROVIDERS WOULD IMPOSE UNWARRANTED AND BURDENSOME REGULATIONS, HARMFUL BOTH TO SMALL BUSINESSES AND THEIR CUSTOMERS.THE FCC'S REGULATIONS WERE NOT ONLY ONEROUS, BUT ALSO SINGLED OUT ISPS WITH OVERLY RESTRICTIVE PRIVACY RESPONSIBILITIES. MEANWHILE, THE INTERNET'S GIANT EDGE PROVIDERS WERE EXEMPT DESPITE HAVING ACCESS TO SIMILAR, IF NOT MORE, CONSUMER DATA FOR THEIR COMMERCIAL USE.TODAY'S VOTE IS AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD IN CLEARING THE PATH FOR FCC CHAIRMAN PAI AND ACTING FTC CHAIRMAN OHLHAUSEN, WHO HAVE PLEDGED TO WORK TOGETHER, TO DEVELOP A NEW 'COMPREHENSIVE AND CONSISTENT FRAMEWORK' FOR PROTECTING AMERICAN'S ONLINE PRIVACY.NOTWITHSTANDING TODAY'S VOTE, ACA MEMBERS ARE COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING THEIR EXCELLENT RECORD OF PROTECTING SUBSCRIBER PRIVACY. THEY REMAIN SUBJECT TO A VARIETY OF STATE AND FEDERAL UNFAIR AND DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES, DATA SECURITY AND DATA BREACH LAWS. MOREOVER, THEY HAVE RELEASED A VOLUNTARY SET OF ISP PRIVACY PRINCIPLES THAT COVER TRANSPARENCY, CONSUMER CHOICE, DATA SECURITY AND DATA BREACH NOTIFICATION AND ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE FTC'S LONG-STANDING FRAMEWORK. ACA MEMBERS HAVE COMMITTED TO ADHERE TO THESE OBLIGATIONS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE FCC'S EXISTING REGULATIONS REMAIN IN PLACE.FCC ELIMINATED BROADBAND OVERBUILD MANDATE IN CHARTER-TWC-BHN MERGER ORDERACA IS VERY PLEASED THE FCC ELIMINATED THE REQUIREMENT FOR CHARTER TO OFFER BROADBAND SERVICE TO 1 MILLION HOMES THAT ARE ALREADY RECEIVING BROADBAND SERVICE FROM ANOTHER PROVIDER. IN ALL LIKELIHOOD, THESE OVERBUILDS WOULD HAVE OCCURRED WHERE SMALLER OPERATORS ARE SERVING AREAS THAT MIGHT NOT SUPPORT TWO PROVIDERS.THE FCC'S DECISION IS COMPELLING BECAUSE THE AGENCY IS SIMULTANEOUSLY ADVANCING THE GOAL OF AFFORDABLE AND UNIVERSAL BROADBAND BY REQUIRING CHARTER TO VENTURE INTO UNSERVED AREAS AND BY ELIMINATING THE THREAT OF GOVERNMENT-MANDATED UNECONOMIC ENTRY INTO SMALLER OPERATORS' MARKETS. THIS OVERBUILD THREAT, ADDED BY THEN-FCC CHAIRMAN WHEELER AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR OF THE MERGER APPROVAL, UNDERMINED THESE OPERATORS' ABILITY TO MAKE INVESTMENTS THAT WOULD BENEFIT THEIR EXISTING SUBSCRIBERS OR EXPAND THEIR NETWORKS TO REACH UNSERVED HOUSEHOLDS. FOR SMALLER OPERATORS, THIS THREAT WAS REAL AS EVIDENCED BY THE 38 ACA MEMBERS WHO RECENTLY URGED THE FCC TO ELIMINATE THE OVERBUILD CONDITION.ACA IS PLEASED THAT THE FCC IS GETTING RID OF THIS OVERBUILD CONDITION BY ACTING ON ACA'S PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION THAT WAS FILED A MONTH AFTER THE MERGER ORDER WAS RELEASED.FCC VOTE LOOKING AT THE REMOVAL OF BARRIERS TO BROADBAND DEPLOYMENTACA APPLAUDS TODAY'S FCC ACTION TO CONTINUE ITS DECADES-LONG POLICY OF APPLYING LIGHT-TOUCH REGULATIONS TO COMPETITIVE PROVIDERS' OFFERING OF BUSINESS DATA SERVICES (BDS). THIS LONGSTANDING LIGHT-TOUCH APPROACH HAS BEEN A RESOUNDING SUCCESS. OVER THE PAST DECADE, HUNDREDS OF ACA'S SMALLER MEMBERS HAVE ENTERED THE BDS MARKET, OFFERING MORE INNOVATIVE SERVICES AT LOWER PRICES, AND THEY ARE NOW INVESTING BILLIONS MORE TO EXPAND THEIR NETWORKS AND OFFER EVEN MORE ROBUST SERVICES. BY MAINTAINING ITS POLICY DIRECTION, THE FCC WILL ENSURE THAT ACA MEMBERS' BUSINESS, COMMUNITY ANCHOR, AND WIRELESS PROVIDER CUSTOMERS WILL REAP THE BENEFITS OF ALL THE INVESTMENT ITS ACTION WILL GENERATE.FCC GIVING CABLE OPERATORS THE OPTION TO EMAIL ANNUAL NOTICESTHE FCC AMENDED ITS RULES TO GIVE CABLE OPERATORS, PURSUANT TO IMPORTANT CONSUMER PROTECTIONS, THE OPTION TO DISTRIBUTE REQUIRED ANNUAL REPORTS VIA EMAIL TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. THE FCC'S ORDER WILL REDUCE COST FOR CABLE OPERATORS, BENEFIT THE ENVIRONMENT, AND PROMOTE CONSUMER CONVENIENCE WITH REGARD TO ACCESSING KEY COMMUNICATIONS FROM CABLE OPERATORS.COURT AFFIRMED FCC'S FINDING THAT CABLE OPERATORS ARE SUBJECT TO EFFECTIVE COMPETITION NATIONALLYTHE COURT'S DECISION AFFIRMING THE FCC'S 2015 ORDER THAT ESTABLISHED A PRESUMPTION THAT CABLE OPERATORS NOW FACE 'EFFECTIVE COMPETITION' NATIONALLY. IN TODAY'S MARKET, CONSUMERS HAVE AT LEAST THREE CHOICES FOR TRADITIONAL PAY-TELEVISION SERVICE AND CAN ELECT TO SUBSCRIBE TO MANY ONLINE VIDEO SERVICES, LIKE NETFLIX AND HULU. THERE IS NO LONGER ANY GOOD REASON THAT CABLE OPERATORS SHOULD REMAIN SUBJECT TO BURDENSOME RATE REGULATION. ACA IS ALSO PLEASED TO SEE THAT BROADCASTERS' ATTEMPTS TO MAINTAIN UNNECESSARY AND UNWARRANTED REGULATORY HANDCUFFS ON CABLE OPERATORS HAVE BEEN THWARTED.BY WAY OF BACKGROUND: CONGRESS REGULATED CABLE RATES IN THE 1992 CABLE ACT. IN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1996, CONGRESS LIFTED RATE CAPS ON CABLE'S EXPANDED BASIC TIER - TYPICALLY, THE CHANNEL HOME OF CNN, FOX NEWS, AND ESPN - EFFECTIVE ON MARCH 31, 1999. BUT THE 1996 LAW DID NOT REMOVE RATE CAPS ON THE BASIC TIER, WHERE LOCAL TV STATION SIGNALS TYPICALLY RESIDE.TO GAIN BASIC TIER DEREGULATION, CONGRESS STILL REQUIRED CABLE OPERATORS TO MAKE A SHOWING TO THE FCC THAT THEIR PAY-TV COMPETITORS COMBINED SERVED 15% OF THE SUBSCRIBERS IN A FRANCHISE AREA. THAT WAS AN EXPENSIVE PROCESS FOR SMALLER PAY-TV PROVIDERS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE POINT WAS TO DEMONSTRATE THE WELL-ESTABLISHED FACT THAT DISH AND DIRECTV HAD BECOME FORMIDABLE COMPETITORS ACROSS THE NATION. GIVEN THAT SITUATION, THE FCC TWO YEARS AGO DETERMINED THAT EVERY CABLE OPERATOR SHOULD BE PRESUMED SUBJECT TO EFFECTIVE COMPETITION AND WOULDN'T HAVE TO PROVE 15% COMPETITOR PENETRATION.SENS. MORAN AND SCHATZ'S TV VIEWER PROTECTION BILLTHIS NEW BILL INTRODUCED BY SEN. MORAN, SEN. SCHATZ AND THEIR COLLEAGUES WHICH WILL MAKE MORE MONEY AVAILABLE TO THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION TO PREVENT CONSUMERS FROM LOSING ACCESS TO BROADCAST CHANNELS AS A RESULT OF THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED BROADCAST TV INCENTIVE AUCTION."UNDER THE MORAN/SCHATZ BILL, THE FCC MAY ALLOCATE ADDITIONAL MONEY TO PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENTS TO BOTH CABLE OPERATORS AND BROADCASTERSDesc
Described In Section501c30DescribedInSection501c3Ind
Schedule B Required0ScheduleBRequiredInd
Political Campaign Acty0PoliticalCampaignActyInd
Subject To Proxy TaxYes (1)SubjectToProxyTaxInd
Donor Advised Fund0DonorAdvisedFundInd
Conservation Easements0ConservationEasementsInd
Collections Of Art0CollectionsOfArtInd
Credit Counseling0CreditCounselingInd
Temp Or Permanent Endowments0TempOrPermanentEndowmentsInd
Report Land Building EquipmentYes (1)ReportLandBuildingEquipmentInd
Report Investments Other Sec0ReportInvestmentsOtherSecInd
Report Program Related Invst0ReportProgramRelatedInvstInd
Report Other Assets0ReportOtherAssetsInd
Report Other LiabilitiesYes (1)ReportOtherLiabilitiesInd
Include FIN48 FootnoteYes (1)IncludeFIN48FootnoteInd
Independent Audit Fincl StmtYes (1)IndependentAuditFinclStmtInd
Consolidated Audit Fincl Stmt0ConsolidatedAuditFinclStmtInd
School Operating0SchoolOperatingInd
Foreign Office0ForeignOfficeInd
Foreign Activities0ForeignActivitiesInd
More Than5000 K To Org0MoreThan5000KToOrgInd
More Than5000 K To Individuals0MoreThan5000KToIndividualsInd
Professional Fundraising0ProfessionalFundraisingInd
Fundraising Activities0FundraisingActivitiesInd
Gaming Activities0GamingActivitiesInd
Operate Hospital0OperateHospitalInd
Grants To Organizations0GrantsToOrganizationsInd
Grants To Individuals0GrantsToIndividualsInd
Schedule J RequiredYes (1)ScheduleJRequiredInd
Tax Exempt Bonds0TaxExemptBondsInd
Loan Outstanding0LoanOutstandingInd
Grant To Related Person0GrantToRelatedPersonInd
Business Rln With Org Mem0BusinessRlnWithOrgMemInd
Business Rln With Fam Mem0BusinessRlnWithFamMemInd
Business Rln With Officer Ent0BusinessRlnWithOfficerEntInd
Deductible Non Cash Contri0DeductibleNonCashContriInd
Deductible Art Contribution0DeductibleArtContributionInd
Terminate Operations0TerminateOperationsInd
Partial Liquidation0PartialLiquidationInd
Disregarded Entity0DisregardedEntityInd
Related Entity0RelatedEntityInd
Related Organization Ctrl Ent0RelatedOrganizationCtrlEntInd
Activities Conducted Prtshp0ActivitiesConductedPrtshpInd
Schedule O RequiredYes (1)ScheduleORequiredInd
IRP Document54IRPDocumentCnt
IRP Document W2 G0IRPDocumentW2GCnt
Backup Wthld ComplianceYes (1)BackupWthldComplianceInd
Employee9EmployeeCnt
Employment Tax Returns FiledYes (1)EmploymentTaxReturnsFiledInd
Unrelated Bus Incm Over Limit0UnrelatedBusIncmOverLimitInd
Foreign Financial Account0ForeignFinancialAccountInd
Prohibited Tax Shelter Trans0ProhibitedTaxShelterTransInd
Taxable Party Notification0TaxablePartyNotificationInd
Nondeductible Contributions0NondeductibleContributionsInd
Indoor Tanning Services0IndoorTanningServicesInd
Info In Schedule O Part VIYes (X)InfoInScheduleOPartVIInd
Governing Body Voting Members19GoverningBodyVotingMembersCnt
Independent Voting Member19IndependentVotingMemberCnt
Family Or Business Rln0FamilyOrBusinessRlnInd
Delegation Of Mgmt Duties0DelegationOfMgmtDutiesInd
Change To Org Documents0ChangeToOrgDocumentsInd
Material Diversion Or Misuse0MaterialDiversionOrMisuseInd
Members Or StockholdersYes (1)MembersOrStockholdersInd
Election Of Board MembersYes (1)ElectionOfBoardMembersInd
Decisions Subject To Approva0DecisionsSubjectToApprovaInd
Minutes Of Governing BodyYes (1)MinutesOfGoverningBodyInd
Minutes Of CommitteesYes (1)MinutesOfCommitteesInd
Officer Mailing Address0OfficerMailingAddressInd
Local Chapters0LocalChaptersInd
Form990 Provided To Gvrn Body0Form990ProvidedToGvrnBodyInd
Conflict Of Interest PolicyYes (1)ConflictOfInterestPolicyInd
Annual Disclosure Covered PrsnYes (1)AnnualDisclosureCoveredPrsnInd
Regular Monitoring Enfrc0RegularMonitoringEnfrcInd
Whistleblower Policy0WhistleblowerPolicyInd
Document Retention Policy0DocumentRetentionPolicyInd
Compensation Process CEOYes (1)CompensationProcessCEOInd
Compensation Process OtherYes (1)CompensationProcessOtherInd
Investment In Joint Venture0InvestmentInJointVentureInd
Upon RequestYes (X)UponRequestInd

Books In Care Of Detail BooksInCareOfDetail

Business Name BusinessName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name Line1ROBERT SHEMABusinessNameLine1Txt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Phone4129228300PhoneNum

US Address USAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line1875 GREENTREE ROAD 7 PARKWAY CENTERAddressLine1Txt
CityPITTSBURGHCityNm
State AbbreviationPAStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP15220ZIPCd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Info In Schedule O Part VIIYes (X)InfoInScheduleOPartVIIInd

Form990 Part VII Section A Form990PartVIISectionAGrp (25 entries)

TitleTitleTxtAverage Hours Per WeekAverageHoursPerWeekRtIndividual Trustee Or DirectorIndividualTrusteeOrDirectorIndReportable Comp From OrgReportableCompFromOrgAmtReportable Comp From Rltd OrgReportableCompFromRltdOrgAmtOther CompensationOtherCompensationAmtOfficerOfficerIndHighest Compensated EmployeeHighestCompensatedEmployeeInd
DIANA BLOCK
DIRECTOR1.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
LESLIE BROWN
DIRECTOR1.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
JIM BRUDER
DIRECTOR1.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
MARIE CENSOPLANO
DIRECTOR (ENTERED 1/17)1.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
JOHN CONRAD
DIRECTOR1.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
KATHY FORD
DIRECTOR1.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
JOHN GDOVIN
DIRECTOR1.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
JIM GLEASON
DIRECTOR1.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
PATRICK KNORR
DIRECTOR1.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
TOM LARSEN
DIRECTOR2.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
EARLE MACKENZIE
DIRECTOR1.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
TOM MIGHT
DIRECTOR1.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
ANDREW PETERSEN
DIRECTOR1.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
TINA PIDGEON
DIRECTOR1.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
ROBERT WIEAND
DIRECTOR1.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
ROBERT GESSNER
CHAIRMAN2.00Yes (X)$0$0$0Yes (X)
PATTY BOYERS
VICE CHAIRMAN2.00Yes (X)$0$0$0Yes (X)
BRYAN CIPOLETTI
TREASURER2.00Yes (X)$0$0$0Yes (X)
LEAANN QUIST
SECRETARY1.00Yes (X)$0$0$0Yes (X)
MATTHEW M POLKA
PRESIDENT & CEO40.00$326,729$0$37,503Yes (X)
ROBERT E SHEMA
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT40.00$192,818$0$26,992Yes (X)
ROSS J LIEBERMAN
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT40.00$254,203$0$24,606Yes (X)
EDWARD T HEARN
VICE PRESIDENT40.00$159,033$0$17,072Yes (X)
MARY C LOVEJOY
VICE PRESIDENT40.00$199,229$0$22,366Yes (X)
KAREN D YOCHUM - SR DIR
OF ADMIN & FINANCE40.00$104,873$0$28,912Yes (X)
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Reportable Comp From Org$1,236,885TotalReportableCompFromOrgAmt
Tot Reportable Comp Rltd Org$0TotReportableCompRltdOrgAmt
Total Other Compensation$157,451TotalOtherCompensationAmt
Indiv Rcvd Greater Than100 K6IndivRcvdGreaterThan100KCnt
Former Ofcr Employees Listed0FormerOfcrEmployeesListedInd
Total Comp Greater Than150 KYes (1)TotalCompGreaterThan150KInd
Compensation From Other Srcs0CompensationFromOtherSrcsInd

Contractor Compensation ContractorCompensationGrp (5 entries)

Address Line1ContractorAddress/USAddress/AddressLine1TxtCityContractorAddress/USAddress/CityNmState AbbreviationContractorAddress/USAddress/StateAbbreviationCdZIPContractorAddress/USAddress/ZIPCdServicesServicesDescCompensationCompensationAmt
THE ALPINE GROUP
660 PA AVENUE SUITE 201WASHINGTONDC20003GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS CONSULTING$497,125
CINNAMON MUELLER
307 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE SUITE 102CHICAGOIL60601FCC CONSULTING/LEGAL$439,931
KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP
101 PARK AVENUENEW YORKNY10178FCC CONSULTING/LEGAL$393,175
AMERICAN TELEVISION ALLIANCE
1401 H ST NW SUITE 1075WASHINGTONDC20005PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTING$278,966
CARTESIAN INC
PO BOX 876364KANSAS CITYMO641876364RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS$260,934
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Cntrct Rcvd Greater Than100 K5CntrctRcvdGreaterThan100KCnt

Program Service Revenue ProgramServiceRevenueGrp (4 entries)

DescDescBusinessBusinessCdTotal Revenue ColumnTotalRevenueColumnAmtRelated Or Exempt Func IncomeRelatedOrExemptFuncIncomeAmt
MEMBER DUES900099$5,426,018$5,426,018
MEETING SPONSORSHIPS900099$196,350$196,350
EXHIBIT FEES900099$61,800$61,800
REGISTRATION FEES900099$61,295$61,295
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Program Service Revenue$5,745,463TotalProgramServiceRevenueAmt

Investment Income InvestmentIncomeGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column$26,880TotalRevenueColumnAmt
Exclusion$26,880ExclusionAmt

Less Cost Oth Basis Sales Expnss LessCostOthBasisSalesExpnssGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Other$9,536OtherAmt

Gain Or Loss GainOrLossGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Other-$9,536OtherAmt

Net Gain Or Loss Investments NetGainOrLossInvestmentsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column-$9,536TotalRevenueColumnAmt
Related Or Exempt Func Income-$9,536RelatedOrExemptFuncIncomeAmt

Other Revenue Misc OtherRevenueMiscGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
DescOTHER REVENUEDesc
Business900099BusinessCd
Total Revenue Column$979TotalRevenueColumnAmt
Exclusion$979ExclusionAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Other Revenue Total$979OtherRevenueTotalAmt

Total Revenue TotalRevenueGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column$5,763,786TotalRevenueColumnAmt
Related Or Exempt Func Income$5,735,927RelatedOrExemptFuncIncomeAmt
Unrelated Business Revenue$0UnrelatedBusinessRevenueAmt
Exclusion$27,859ExclusionAmt

Comp Current Ofcr Directors CompCurrentOfcrDirectorsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$1,260,551TotalAmt

Other Salaries And Wages OtherSalariesAndWagesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$326,809TotalAmt

Pension Plan Contributions PensionPlanContributionsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$7,936TotalAmt

Other Employee Benefits OtherEmployeeBenefitsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$39,856TotalAmt

Payroll Taxes PayrollTaxesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$81,431TotalAmt

Fees For Services Legal FeesForServicesLegalGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$1,452,475TotalAmt

Fees For Services Accounting FeesForServicesAccountingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$15,766TotalAmt

Fees For Services Lobbying FeesForServicesLobbyingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$565,238TotalAmt

Fees For Services Other FeesForServicesOtherGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$327,438TotalAmt

Advertising AdvertisingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$58,852TotalAmt

Office Expenses OfficeExpensesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$125,203TotalAmt

Occupancy OccupancyGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$65,774TotalAmt

Travel TravelGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$250,195TotalAmt

Conferences Meetings ConferencesMeetingsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$386,141TotalAmt

Depreciation Depletion DepreciationDepletionGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$20,173TotalAmt

Insurance InsuranceGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$9,961TotalAmt

Other Expenses OtherExpensesGrp (3 entries)

DescDescTotalTotalAmt
POLICY SUPPORT$602,501
DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS$33,548
TRAINING$2,737

All Other Expenses AllOtherExpensesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$15,983TotalAmt

Total Functional Expenses TotalFunctionalExpensesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$5,648,568TotalAmt

Cash Non Interest Bearing CashNonInterestBearingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$821,194BOYAmt
EOY$584,274EOYAmt

Savings And Temp Cash Invst SavingsAndTempCashInvstGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$370,485BOYAmt
EOY$399,536EOYAmt

Accounts Receivable AccountsReceivableGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$972,289BOYAmt
EOY$891,640EOYAmt

Prepaid Expenses Defrd Charges PrepaidExpensesDefrdChargesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$26,620BOYAmt
EOY$54,785EOYAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Land Bldg Equip Cost Or Other Bss$127,304LandBldgEquipCostOrOtherBssAmt
Land Bldg Equip Accum Deprec$84,584LandBldgEquipAccumDeprecAmt

Land Bldg Equip Basis Net LandBldgEquipBasisNetGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$58,658BOYAmt
EOY$42,720EOYAmt

Investments Pub Traded Sec InvestmentsPubTradedSecGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$606,743BOYAmt
EOY$1,031,507EOYAmt

Total Assets TotalAssetsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$2,855,989BOYAmt
EOY$3,004,462EOYAmt

Accounts Payable Accr Expnss AccountsPayableAccrExpnssGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$334,942BOYAmt
EOY$313,256EOYAmt

Deferred Revenue DeferredRevenueGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$23,946BOYAmt
EOY$109,964EOYAmt

Other Liabilities OtherLiabilitiesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$99,186BOYAmt
EOY$66,125EOYAmt

Total Liabilities TotalLiabilitiesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$458,074BOYAmt
EOY$489,345EOYAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Organization Follows SFAS117Yes (X)OrganizationFollowsSFAS117Ind

Unrestricted Net Assets UnrestrictedNetAssetsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$2,397,915BOYAmt
EOY$2,515,117EOYAmt

Total Net Assets Fund Balance TotalNetAssetsFundBalanceGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$2,397,915BOYAmt
EOY$2,515,117EOYAmt

Tot Liab Net Assets Fund Balance TotLiabNetAssetsFundBalanceGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$2,855,989BOYAmt
EOY$3,004,462EOYAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Reconcilation Revenue Expnss$115,218ReconcilationRevenueExpnssAmt
Net Unrlzd Gains Losses Invst$1,984NetUnrlzdGainsLossesInvstAmt
Other Changes In Net Assets$0OtherChangesInNetAssetsAmt
Info In Schedule O Part XIIYes (X)InfoInScheduleOPartXIIInd
Method Of Accounting AccrualYes (X)MethodOfAccountingAccrualInd
Accountant Compile Or Review0AccountantCompileOrReviewInd
FS AuditedYes (1)FSAuditedInd

FS Audited Basis FSAuditedBasisGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Separate Basis Fincl StmtYes (X)SeparateBasisFinclStmtInd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Audit CommitteeYes (1)AuditCommitteeInd
Federal Grant Audit Required0FederalGrantAuditRequiredInd

Schedule C IRS990ScheduleC

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Substantially All Dues Nonded0SubstantiallyAllDuesNondedInd
Only In House Lobbying0OnlyInHouseLobbyingInd
Agree Carryover Prior Year0AgreeCarryoverPriorYearInd
Dues Assessments$5,426,018DuesAssessmentsAmt
Non Deductible Lbbyng Pltcl CY$565,238NonDeductibleLbbyngPltclCYAmt
Non Deductible Lbbyng Pltcl Tot$565,238NonDeductibleLbbyngPltclTotAmt
Aggregate Reported Dues Ntc$922,423AggregateReportedDuesNtcAmt
Taxable-$357,185TaxableAmt

Schedule D IRS990ScheduleD

Leasehold Improvements LeaseholdImprovementsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Other Cost Or Other Basis$13,625OtherCostOrOtherBasisAmt
Depreciation$13,625DepreciationAmt
Book Value$0BookValueAmt

Equipment EquipmentGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Other Cost Or Other Basis$69,103OtherCostOrOtherBasisAmt
Depreciation$36,449DepreciationAmt
Book Value$32,654BookValueAmt

Other Land Buildings OtherLandBuildingsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Other Cost Or Other Basis$44,576OtherCostOrOtherBasisAmt
Depreciation$34,510DepreciationAmt
Book Value$10,066BookValueAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Book Value Land Buildings$42,720TotalBookValueLandBuildingsAmt

Other Liabilities Org OtherLiabilitiesOrgGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
DescMEMBER DUES ADVANCED - LONG TERMDesc
Amt$66,125Amt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Liability$66,125TotalLiabilityAmt
Footnote TextYes (X)FootnoteTextInd
Total Rev Etc Audited Fincl Stmt$5,775,307TotalRevEtcAuditedFinclStmtAmt
Net Unrealized Gains Invst$1,984NetUnrealizedGainsInvstAmt
Revenue Not Reported$1,984RevenueNotReportedAmt
Revenue Subtotal$5,773,323RevenueSubtotalAmt
Other Revenues Not Included-$9,537OtherRevenuesNotIncludedAmt
Revenue Not Reported Fincl Stmt-$9,537RevenueNotReportedFinclStmtAmt
Total Revenue Per Form990$5,763,786TotalRevenuePerForm990Amt
Tot Expns Etc Audited Fincl Stmt$5,658,105TotExpnsEtcAuditedFinclStmtAmt
Other Expenses Included$9,537OtherExpensesIncludedAmt
Expenses Not Reported$9,537ExpensesNotReportedAmt
Expenses Subtotal$5,648,568ExpensesSubtotalAmt
Expenses Not Rpt Fincl Stmt$0ExpensesNotRptFinclStmtAmt
Total Expenses Per Form990$5,648,568TotalExpensesPerForm990Amt

Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail (3 entries)

Form And Line ReferenceFormAndLineReferenceDescExplanationExplanationTxt
PART X, LINE 2:FOR INCOME TAX PURPOSES, THE ASSOCIATION IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAX UNDER SECTION 501(C)(6) OF THE IRC AND IS NOT A PRIVATE FOUNDATION. ACCORDINGLY, NO PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES IS RECORDED IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. THE ASSOCIATION'S POLICY IS TO ACCRUE INTEREST AND PENALTIES RELATED TO UNRECOGNIZED TAX BENEFITS IN INCOME TAX EXPENSE, IF ANY, AS A COMPONENT OF OFFICE AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. THE ASSOCIATION HAS NOT IDENTIFIED ANY MATERIAL UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS REQUIRING AN ACCRUAL OR DISCLOSURE IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. THE STATUTORY TAX YEARS 2014, 2015 AND 2016 REMAIN OPEN TO EXAMINATION.
PART XI, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS:DISPOSAL OF ASSETS -9,537.
PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS:DISPOSAL OF ASSETS 9,537.

Schedule J IRS990ScheduleJ

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Form990 Of Other OrganizationsYes (X)Form990OfOtherOrganizationsInd
Written Employment ContractYes (X)WrittenEmploymentContractInd
Compensation SurveyYes (X)CompensationSurveyInd
Board Or Committee ApprovalYes (X)BoardOrCommitteeApprovalInd
Severance Payment0SeverancePaymentInd
Supplemental Nonqual Rtr Plan0SupplementalNonqualRtrPlanInd
Equity Based Comp Arrngm0EquityBasedCompArrngmInd

Rltd Org Officer Trst Key Empl RltdOrgOfficerTrstKeyEmplGrp (5 entries)

TitleTitleTxtBase Compensation Filing OrgBaseCompensationFilingOrgAmtCompensation Based On Rltd OrgsCompensationBasedOnRltdOrgsAmtBonus Filing OrganizationBonusFilingOrganizationAmountBonus Related OrganizationsBonusRelatedOrganizationsAmtOther Compensation Filing OrgOtherCompensationFilingOrgAmtOther Compensation Rltd OrgsOtherCompensationRltdOrgsAmtDeferred Compensation Flng OrgDeferredCompensationFlngOrgAmtDeferred Comp Rltd OrgsDeferredCompRltdOrgsAmtNontaxable Benefits Filing OrgNontaxableBenefitsFilingOrgAmtNontaxable Benefits Rltd OrgsNontaxableBenefitsRltdOrgsAmtTotal Compensation Filing OrgTotalCompensationFilingOrgAmtTotal Compensation Rltd OrgsTotalCompensationRltdOrgsAmtComp Report Prior990 Filing OrgCompReportPrior990FilingOrgAmtComp Report Prior990 Rltd OrgsCompReportPrior990RltdOrgsAmt
MATTHEW M POLKA
PRESIDENT & CEO$297,745$0$28,726$0$258$0$9,658$0$27,845$0$364,232$0$0$0
ROBERT E SHEMA
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT$176,180$0$16,500$0$138$0$5,364$0$21,628$0$219,810$0$0$0
ROSS J LIEBERMAN
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT$233,180$0$20,800$0$223$0$6,781$0$17,825$0$278,809$0$0$0
EDWARD T HEARN
VICE PRESIDENT$144,207$0$14,330$0$496$0$0$0$17,072$0$176,105$0$0$0
MARY C LOVEJOY
VICE PRESIDENT$181,234$0$17,850$0$145$0$5,547$0$16,819$0$221,595$0$0$0

Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Form And Line ReferencePART I, LINE 3FormAndLineReferenceDesc
ExplanationTHE PRESIDENT & CEO, MATTHEW M. POLKA, IS THE ONLY INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT WITH THE ORGANIZATION.ExplanationTxt

Schedule O IRS990ScheduleO

Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail (9 entries)

Form And Line ReferenceFormAndLineReferenceDescExplanationExplanationTxt
FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4AIF THE AGENCY DEEMS IT NEEDS MORE THAN THE ORIGINAL $1.75 BILLION ALLOCATION. ACA IS PLEASED THAT THE BILL ENSURES THAT FCC FUNDING IS ACCESSIBLE TO SMALLER CABLE OPERATORS AND GIVES EQUAL PRIORITY TO WHOEVER REQUESTS SUCH FUNDS, WHETHER IT IS A CABLE OPERATOR OR BROADCASTER. OUR MEMBERS ARE APPRECIATIVE OF THIS FINANCIAL SUPPORT THAT WILL ENABLE THEM TO CONTINUE OFFERING BROADCAST CHANNELS TO THEIR CUSTOMERS WITHOUT INTERRUPTION." ADDITIONAL BILL SPONSORS INCLUDE: SENS. JIM INHOFE (R-OKLA.), TODD YOUNG (R-IND.), RICHARD BLUMENTHAL (D-CONN.) AND TOM UDALL (D-COLO.). ACA MEMBER SURVEY REINFORCES THAT BROADCASTERS USE AGGRESSIVE BULLY TACTICS IN RETRANS NEGOTIATIONS THE AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION HAS RELEASED KEY SURVEY FINDINGS ON WHAT ACA MEMBERS EXPERIENCE ON THE FRONT LINES OF RETRANSMISSION CONSENT NEGOTIATIONS WITH CORPORATE BROADCASTERS. THE RESULTS ARE NOT PRETTY: THE PREVAILING SENTIMENT IS THAT BROADCASTERS USE THEIR MARKET POWER TO BULLY SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED CABLE OPERATORS INTO LOPSIDED DEALS THAT HURT CONSUMERS. SEVENTY-SIX PERCENT OF SURVEY RESPONDENTS STATED THAT BROADCASTERS EMPLOY A "TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT" APPROACH TO RETRANS NEGOTIATIONS. "THIS IS ESSENTIALLY NOT A NEGOTIATION - IT IS AN AGREEMENT FORCED ON US," OFFERED ONE RESPONDENT. ANOTHER CHARACTERIZED RETRANSMISSION CONSENT NEGOTIATIONS AS "EXTREME BULLYING AND TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT ATTITUDE." CABLE OPERATORS REPORT THAT BROADCASTERS USE RETRANS NEGOTIATIONS TO DEMAND HUGE RATE HIKES AND FORCE UNWANTED CHANNELS INTO PROGRAM LINEUPS. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, CABLE OPERATORS ARE CONCERNED THAT THEIR CUSTOMERS OFTEN BLAME THEM FOR THESE RATE HIKES AND UNPOPULAR CHANNELS, WHEN IN FACT IT IS THE BROADCASTERS WHO DICTATE HOW MUCH CUSTOMERS ARE FORCED TO PAY AND WHICH CHANNELS AND NETWORKS MUST BE CARRIED. "WHEN WE ASKED OUR MEMBERS TO SHARE THEIR TOP OBJECTIVE DURING RETRANS MATTERS, NEARLY THREE QUARTERS SAID THAT THEY WANTED TO KEEP PRICES DOWN FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS," SAID MATTHEW M. POLKA, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION. "YET TIME AND TIME AGAIN, CORPORATE BROADCASTERS DON'T NEGOTIATE FAIRLY - OR AT ALL - AND CONSUMERS ARE LEFT HOLDING THE BAG." BROADCASTERS GENERALLY EXTRACT THE HIGHEST PER-SUBSCRIBER FEES FROM THE SMALLEST CABLE OPERATORS AND THEIR CUSTOMERS, AND THEIR DEMANDS KEEP ESCALATING. SNL KAGAN PROJECTS THAT THESE FEES WILL COST U.S. CONSUMERS AND SATELLITE AND CABLE OPERATORS $11.6 BILLION BY 2022, UP FROM $8.6 BILLION IN 2017, A 35 PERCENT INCREASE IN JUST FIVE YEARS. RETRANS FEES ARE THE FASTEST GROWING PART OF CONSUMERS' MONTHLY CABLE BILLS. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF RETRANSMISSION CONSENT NEGOTIATIONS, 63 PERCENT OF SURVEY RESPONDENTS SAID THEY WERE CONCERNED THAT IF THE PROCESS STAYS THE SAME, IT WILL HARM THEIR CUSTOMERS. "THIS IS UNSUSTAINABLE AND CONSUMERS WILL LOSE IN THE END," STATED ONE CABLE PROVIDER. THESE FINDINGS FURTHER SHED LIGHT ON BROADCASTERS' BAD BEHAVIORS, WHICH ACA HAS BEEN HIGHLIGHTING EACH WEEK THROUGH ITS TV RANSOM CAMPAIGN TO CALL OUT BROADCASTERS' RECKLESS, GREEDY, PUSHY, RUTHLESS AND SPITEFUL BEHAVIORS WHEN IT COMES TO RETRANS MATTERS. CURRENTLY, HUNDREDS OF LOCAL CABLE OPERATORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE ATTEMPTING TO NEGOTIATE WITH A HANDFUL OF CORPORATE MEDIA CONGLOMERATES THAT OWN MOST OF THE LOCAL TV STATION AFFILIATES FOR ABC, CBS, FOX AND NBC. THIS PROCESS PITS ACA'S SMALL AND MID-SIZED CABLE OPERATOR MEMBERS, WHO SERVE RURAL AMERICANS AND SMALLER URBAN MARKETS, AGAINST HUGE CORPORATIONS WITH NO STAKE OR TIES TO THESE LOCAL COMMUNITIES. ACA CONDUCTED AN ONLINE SURVEY FROM NOVEMBER 8-15, 2017, WHICH RECEIVED 131 RESPONSES.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 1AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL BE ESTABLISHED WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE CHAIRPERSON, VICE CHAIRPERSON, TREASURER AND TWO (2) MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD EXCEPT WITH RESPECT TO: - THE APPROVAL OF ANY ACTION FOR WHICH THE NONPROFIT LAW ALSO REQUIRES APPROVAL OF THE MEMBERS; - THE FILING OF VACANCIES ON THE BOARD OR ON ANY COMMITTEE WHICH HAS THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD; - THE FIXING OF COMPENSATION OF THE DIRECTORS FOR SERVING ON THE BOARD OR ON ANY COMMITTEE; - THE AMENDMENT OR REPEAL OF BYLAWS OR THE ADOPTION OF NEW BYLAWS; - THE AMENDMENT OR REPEAL OF ANY RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD WHICH BY ITS EXPRESS TERMS IS NOT SO AMENDABLE OR REPEALABLE; - THE APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OR THE MEMBERS THEREOF; - THE EXPENDITURE OF CORPORATE FUNDS TO SUPPORT A NOMINEE FOR DIRECTOR AFTER THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE NOMINATED FOR DIRECTOR THAN CAN BE ELECTED; OR - WITH RESPECT TO ASSEST HELD IN CHARITABLE TRUST, THE APPROVAL OF ANY SELF-DEALING TRANSACTION AS DEFINED BY SECTION 5728 OF THE NONPROFIT LAW OR ANY SUCCESSOR SECTION THERETO, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BY LAW.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION, INC. SHALL HAVE ONE (1) CLASS OF VOTING MEMBERS. ONLY CABLE TELEVISION BUSINESSES MAY BECOME VOTING MEMBERS.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7ATHE DIRECTORS SHALL BE ELECTED BY THE MEMBERS AR A REGULAR OR SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERS CALLED FOR SUCH PURPOSES OR BY WRITTEN BALLOT. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, AT ANY MEETING OF THE MEMBERS WHERE DIRECTORS ARE TO BE ELECTED, EACH MEMBER SHALL DESIGNATE A PROXY TO CAST SUCH MEMBER'S VOTE FOR DIRECTORS AT A MEETING CALLED AND HELD FOR SUCH PURPOSES. AT THE MEETING CALLED FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, EACH SUCH PROXY SHALL BE ENTITLED TO CAST THE NUMBER OF VOTES HELD FOR EACH OFFICE OF DIRECTOR TO BE FILLED, WITHOUT THE RIGHT TO CUMULATE VOTES. IN ANY ELECTION OF DIRECTORS BY MEMBERS, THE CANDIDATES RECEIVING THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF VOTES ARE ELECTED. ONLY THOSE PERSONS NOMINATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED IN THE BYLAWS MAY STAND FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTOR.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11BTHE FORM 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE PRESIDENT AND CEO, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND THE TREASURER.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15THE EVP OF FINANCE REVIEWS SEVERAL (5 OR MORE) SIMILAR ASSOCIATION FORM 990'S FOR CEO COMPENSATION. THIS INCLUDES ASSOCIATIONS BOTH IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND IN PENNSYLVANIA. THE EVP OF FINANCE PURCHASES THE CEO UPDATE SALARY GUIDE FOR NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND NON-PROFITS AND CREATES A COMPENSATION PROPOSAL FOR THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD SHARES THIS PROPOSAL WITH THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD DETERMINES THE CEO'S COMPENSATION. THE EVP OF FINANCE USES THE SAME PROCESS FOR ALL OFFICERS AND PRESENTS THE COMPENSATION SUGGESTIONS TO THE CEO. THE CEO DETERMINES THE COMPENSATION FOR ALL OTHER OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION. THE COMPENSATION FOR THE REMAINING STAFF MEMBERS IS REVIEWED BY THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS AS PART OF THE BUDGET DISCUSSION AND IS APPROVED BY THE FULL BOARD AS PART OF THE BUDGET APPROVAL.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19NO DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
FORM 990, PART VII, EMERITUS TRUSTEES:THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS SERVE ON THE BOARD OF AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION, INC. WITH NO VOTING RIGHTS: DICK BEARD; PAT THOMPSON; COLLEEN ABDOULAH; AND DOUG FULLER.
FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C:THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ASSUMES THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OVERSIGHT OF THE AUDIT. THE PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM PRIOR YEAR.

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