National Cable Television Association (NCTA)

Organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., founded in 1952 to foster the development of the cable industry through research, study, discussion, and publications. The NCTA conducts research programs in conjunction with the National Academy of Cable Programming and works to deter cable signal theft and to develop antipiracy materials. In addition, the NCTA assumes an active role in legal, legislative, and regulatory matters affecting cable communication and represents the cable industry before Congress and the Federal Communications Commission. Members consist of franchised cable operators, programmers, and cable networks; associate members are cable hardware suppliers and distributers; and affiliate members are brokerage and law firms and financial institutions.