The Effects of Market Structure and Ownership on Prices and Service Offerings in the U. S. Cable Television Industry

Abstract

This article provides empirical evidence on the effects of alternative market structures and ownership modes on prices and service offerings in the cable television industry. We analyze the underlying characteristics and behavior of competing versus monopoly operators on the one hand, and privately versus nonprivately owned operators on the other. We find that competition and nonprivate ownership are associated with lower prices for basic cable television service. We also find that cable television price and quality differentials vary with certain characteristics of competing operators, and that market structure and ownership status influence changes in price and quality over time.