FCC's Martin to Push Against Clock, Cable During Final Months

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin shows no sign of relenting on cable as his term nears its likely end. With less than 10 weeks left in President George W. Bush's administration, the FCC is still considering whether to loosen cable's grip on some professional sports programming and raise the price companies pay to attach lines to utility poles. Any new rules Chairman Martin shepherds through would stand, unless undone by a court, a future commission or Congress. Last week, he announced an investigation of whether cable carriers are exploiting next year's transition to digital television to overcharge consumers.