As the cable industry’s oldest state association, it would have been easy for BCAP to wither over the years like so many other groups did as consolidation took hold. Instead, it has remained vibrant. In February, it replaced the word Cable in its name with Communications to better reflect the importance of high-speed internet to the industry. It’s the fourth name change since it was founded in 1957 as the Pennsylvania Cable Television Association.
BCAP has developed excellent relationships with the Commonwealth’s lawmakers and agencies, and for 32 years, it has hosted its “Cable Academy,” offering two days of information-packed sessions for operators, programmers and suppliers. It’s drawn big names over the years, including former Comcast Senior EVP David Cohen, Matthew Berry, then-FCC chair Ajit Pai’s Chief of Staff, NCTA President & CEO Michael Powell and Brian Lockman of Pennsylvania Cable Network and one of the first four members of C-SPAN.
Long-time BCAP President Dan Tunnell retired last year, but the organization brought on industry vet Todd Eachus—only the fourth president in the association’s 65-year-history—and it never missed a beat. Wins have included reducing the Pennsylvania corporate net income tax and defeating a plan to create a statewide utility pole database that BCAP said would significantly burden its members. “On the legislative and regulatory front, we were successful molding the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority as the Commonwealth prepares to accept [Infrastructure Bill] funds and begins the task of ensuring every Pennsylvanian has access to fast, reliable and secure broadband service. We have also been at the table as the General Assembly works on issues such as 988 implementation, privacy legislation and more,” says Eachus.
BCAP is already thinking about next year’s Cable Academy, pledging to keep the tradition alive and grow it. “We are at an inflection point for our industry. There are so many opportunities and challenges as we look at the generational opportunity of getting broadband to every rural address across the nation and across Pennsylvania. We have a chance to be part of something truly transformative, but this opportunity is not without risk,” says Eachus. “We must remain vigilant to ensure we help develop rules within Pennsylvania that will allow for success, and keep our eyes wide open to the countless other issues that will impact our members in the months and years ahead.”