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Growth in the pay-television market was anemic in the third quarter, fueling the debate about whether subscribers are starting to cut the cord.

At least 90% of U.S. homes pay for some form of subscription TV, from cable, satellite or phone companies, according to Nielsen. In recent years cable operators have lost mostly video subscribers to satellite and phone company rivals while the broader market has grown slightly. But in the past year or so, the market has seen slight shrinkage in several quarters. That has sparked concerns that consumers might be disconnecting their pay-TV services in favor of cheaper options, like online video. Some also blame weak housing growth for the broader softness in the video business. But Dish's chief executive, Joe Clayton, indicated that the high price of pay television could be an issue. The cable industry is offsetting some of the video losses with growth in broadband.

AT&T agreed to pay $700,000 as part of a consent decree to resolve complaints that the company switched certain consumers to its mandatory monthly wireless data plans even though it had promised they could retain their existing pay-as-you-go data plans.

These customers are called “grandfathered subscribers.” AT&T has agreed to refund excess charges paid by individual customers, which could be as much as $25 to $30 a month, depending on data use. The transfers began occurring in November 2009, shortly after AT&T required first-time smartphone subscribers or those who upgraded their phones to enroll in monthly data plans. Consumer complaints prompted the FCC to launch an investigation last year. AT&T has also agreed to an extensive compliance plan, which includes: consumer notification, training of customer care representatives, and periodic compliance reports to the FCC. AT&T must also conduct additional searches of its records to identify improperly switched consumers and ensure appropriate refunds.

The Federal Communications Commission says it has granted two waiver requests to allow noncommercial stations to raise funds for Superstorm Sandy relief, and wants to make sure other stations who may want to follow suit know the procedures for applying for those waivers. Requests should include "the proposed duration of the fundraising effort; the organization(s) to which funds will be donated; and whether the fundraiser will be part of the licensee's regularly scheduled pledge drive or fundraising effort."

President Cristina Kirchner has set the stage for a showdown with Argentina's biggest media conglomerate, Grupo Clarín SA, in a dispute that some critics warn could undermine free speech.

President Kirchner, who contends Clarín is a coup-mongering monopoly, has given the company until Dec. 7 to divest itself of assets such as its cable-television unit or see them auctioned off by the government. The conflict could have implications for businesses, the media and President Kirchner, whose approval ratings have tumbled this year amid rising crime, high inflation and a weak economy. At stake for Clarín is its future as an influential, independent media company that offers popular news and entertainment programs to millions of Argentines via its cable-TV and Internet services. Clarín was the only TV company to provide full coverage of recent nationwide protests against the government. Its breakup could limit the public's access to information, analysts say.