Broadcasting, Cable Divided Over FCC Retransmission Vote

The Federal Communications Commission's vote to launch its review of good faith retransmission consent negotiations drew a quick and varied response from industry that reflected the split among cable and broadcasters.

The National Association of Broadcasters was cautiously pessimistic. "The notice, at first blush, appears to go much further than Congress directed," said NAB spokesman Dennis Wharton. "We were struck by the FCC's admission that nothing in this proceeding will necessarily translate to lower cable prices for consumers. We also question whether the FCC should be taking actions that benefit heavily consolidated companies that dominate the video landscape like DISH, AT&T/DirecTV, Time Warner Cable/Charter and Verizon. Consumers will be left wondering why the FCC is working overtime to tip the scales even further in favor of these mega-companies."

American Cable Association President Matt Polka said, "ACA applauds the FCC's decision to review key features of the retransmission consent regime as Congress intended in the STELA Reauthorization Act of 2014. As ACA plans to document in this proceeding, TV stations around the country have not been bargaining in good faith, staging one blackout after blackout another, often just before the start of marquee sporting or entertainment broadcasts."