FCC Modernizes Cable Leased Access Rules

The Federal Communications Commission adopted a Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking addressing its leased access rules. These rules require cable operators to set aside channel capacity for commercial use by unaffiliated video programmers. The FCC found that vacating burdensome requirements set forth in the 2008 Order as consistent with today’s highly competitive video marketplace. Second, the Report and Order streamlines the FCC’s existing leased access rules. For example, it eliminates the requirement that cable operators make leased access available on a part-time basis, and it modifies the FCC’s rules to require cable operators, regardless of system size, to respond only to bona fide requests from prospective leased access programmers.

In the Second Further Notice, the FCC seeks comment on a proposal to simplify the leased access rate formula so that rates will be specific to the tier on which the programming is carried.


FCC Modernizes Cable Leased Access Rules