New FCC proposal would give Internet TV services access to same content as cable

[Himanshu Arora]

The FCC is considering a rule change to guarantee Internet video providers access to cable programs as well as local television. Chairman Tom Wheeler has circulated a proposal that aims to treat so-called “over the top” video providers the same as cable and satellite TV providers.

"Consumers have long complained about how their cable service forces them to buy channels they never watch. The move of video onto the Internet can do something about that frustration – but first Internet video services need access to the programs", Wheeler said in a blog post, adding that the goal is to give consumers more alternatives so they can buy what they want. 

The proposal only applies to multichannel video programming distributors (MVPD), like Dish Network, that offer pre-scheduled programming, and not to on-demand streaming providers like Hulu, Netflix, and others.

Back in 1992, in an effort to encourage the then-nascent satellite industry, Congress made it mandatory for cable companies to give video competitors access to their programming. Wheeler said the new proposal extends the same concept to providers of linear, Internet-based services. He noted that a cable system would continue to be regulated as a cable system, even if it migrates to IP delivery.

If implemented, the proposal would also infuse a new breath of life into the now-dead Internet streaming service Aereo, which has recently changed its legal argument, and is pushing the courts and regulators to treat it like a cable provider.

Quite understandably, Aereo CEO and founder Chet Kanojia was all praises for the proposal. "By clarifying these rules, the FCC is taking a real and meaningful step forward for competition in the video market", he said. "The FCC recognizes that when competition flourishes, consumers win".

Back in January this year at CES, Sony announced its plans for an Internet video service that it said will provide live television, video on demand, and even DVR. In May, Dish and Walt Disney signed a deal, allowing the No. 2 satellite TV provider to deliver ESPN, Disney Channel, and other networks through an over-the-top pay TV service.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/58614-new-fcc-proposal-would-give-internet-tv-services.html

 

[Uncle Al]

Long, long, long overdue. Competition is the seed of improvement. The other major improvement would be making it unlawful for communities to "lock in" to a single cable / internet provider and require infrastructure owners to make available those routes so any and all cable providers could compete.

 

[Guest]

I agree, but I guess the purpose of dividing up communities so they have limited access to the number of cable providers is actually to stop the major providers from becoming a monopoly by providing there service cheaper than the rest in all communities. Or something to that effect.

 

[RustyTech]

"Chairman Tom Wheeler has circulated a proposal"

I had to read that twice...Would seem someone's pockets didn't get lined this year? hmmm?? lol

 

[wiyosaya]

"The proposal only applies to multichannel video programming distributors (MVPD), like Dish Network, that offer pre-scheduled programming, and not to on-demand streaming providers like Hulu, Netflix, and others."

WTF? Another industry-influenced decision? If I wanted Dish, I would never have cut the cord this past March. In my opinion, the FCC is back in the Jurassic period with this.

Me? I'll stick with my 4, OTA tuners.

 

[S_Brideau]

Long overdue, as people are cutting the cable and moving to the internet. I have cut the cable myself which means I don't have access to local programming except when they post it on their website.

 

[Guest]

"Competition is the seed of improvement."

I'd say Cooperation is the seed of improvement. Competition may force changes though not always for the better.

 

[wiyosaya]

Long overdue, as people are cutting the cable and moving to the internet. I have cut the cable myself which means I don't have access to local programming except when they post it on their website.

What about OTA tuners? I used to have Dish Network and they had less local programming that what I get OTA. I've gone the HTPC route, and finding an OTA tuner for that was not that difficult.

 

[S_Brideau]

What about OTA tuners? I used to have Dish Network and they had less local programming that what I get OTA. I've gone the HTPC route, and finding an OTA tuner for that was not that difficult.

Never really thought about that, but then again in Canada there aren't many channels over the air, only the public broadcasters such as CBC or Radio-Canada (the french CBC) really are required to be over the air as well. I'll see if I have friends that have this and check what they have, since I haven't seen OTA in the city I live in, but in the rural area I come from (now I live in the city) there are only 3 channels OTA which aren't channels I used to listen to.

 

[cliffordcooley]

Just give us better Internet services (such as higher transfer rates and lower ping rates) and stop worrying about whether we have TV bundles. Fix the network before you think of more ways to saturate it.

 

[wiyosaya]

Just give us better Internet services (such as higher transfer rates and lower ping rates) and stop worrying about whether we have TV bundles. Fix the network before you think of more ways to saturate it.

Agreed! In NYS that is starting to happen. I imagine that in other areas, it will also happen in time. Greenlight Networks has been given permission by the NYSPSC to lay fiber to the home. Can't wait to dump TWC (with the C standing for, well, you know what) when it comes to my neighborhood.

 

[wiyosaya]

What about OTA tuners? I used to have Dish Network and they had less local programming that what I get OTA. I've gone the HTPC route, and finding an OTA tuner for that was not that difficult.

Never really thought about that, but then again in Canada there aren't many channels over the air, only the public broadcasters such as CBC or Radio-Canada (the french CBC) really are required to be over the air as well. I'll see if I have friends that have this and check what they have, since I haven't seen OTA in the city I live in, but in the rural area I come from (now I live in the city) there are only 3 channels OTA which aren't channels I used to listen to.

As I understand it, the OTA scheme used in Canada is the same as in the US. That means that each OTA digital station could carry up to 4 sub-channels.

Also, in rural areas, in flat areas where "line of sight" to the transmitters is not an issue, DTV is quite a different animal than analog TV was. Say you live in between two cities that have OTA stations. In theory, anyway, it is possible to get the OTA from both cities in all the glory that digital can bring. DTV is way different. There are drawbacks, though; where I live even though I am in a city, I live in a valley and it tends to make OTA reception challenging, but it is watchable.