[opendtv] Re: Commissioner Copps on the Fox vs Cablevision dispute
- From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 22 Oct 2010 08:12:17 -0400
At 5:58 PM -0500 10/21/10, Manfredi, Albert E wrote:
Craig Birkmaier wrote:
So here is a perfect example of how the
content oligopoly is misusing the Internet
Bert. Just pull high value content from the Internet when you are trying to
squeeze the MVPDs for another nickle.
Fox still transmits FOTA, I assume also in NYC.
Fox still streams over the Internet, also I
assume in NYC. So, how is it the content
oligopoly (Fox, in this particular dispute) that
is misusing the Internet??
Bert. You posted the article. Did you read it?
Not only did Fox withold its signal from
Cablevision MVPD subscribers, but they also
blocked Cablevision Internet subscribers from
accessing Fox programming on Fox.com and Hulu.cm.
And it's not just Fox. The following story covers
the Fox Cablevision dispute AND the fact that
ABC, CBS and NBC are blocking access to their
content via the internet, for new Google TV
devices.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2010/10/networks_block_web_shows_from.html
Networks block shows from Google TV
Networks ABC, CBS and NBC are blocking Google TV
viewers from its shows, according to Google, in a
move that raises questions about how federal
regulators should oversee the nascent but
fast-growing market for Internet television.
"Google TV enables access to all the Web content
you already get today on your phone and PC, but
it is ultimately the content owner's choice to
restrict their fans from accessing their content
on the platform," Google said.
Google confirmed that it is in negotiations with
those companies to deliver the Web versions of
their shows. Logitech and Sony televisions carry
Google's Internet television services, which is
being sold by Best Buy.
The action, first reported by The Wall Street
Journal, is sure to draw criticism from public
interest groups and some federal regulators who
have criticized a similar move by Fox in its fees
battle with Cablevision. Last weekend, News Corp.
blocked Cablevision's Internet customers from
accessing Fox shows on Fox.com and Hulu.com,
which it partly owns. The companies have been in
a six-day stalemate over fees to retransmit Fox
to Cablevision television subscribers.
Networks and movie studios have been reluctant to
allow the Web-based versions of their shows to
appear on new video distributors such as Google,
which don't offer the same amount of advertising
and subscription fees they have been getting from
cable and satellite firms, analysts say.
But that is changing. Netflix has struck new
deals with NBC Universal and Epix for Lionsgate
and Paramount films. Hulu.com, however, has said
it may go to a subscription model because it
isn't making enough money from advertising to
support its site.
According to Reuters, News Corp's Fox is also
considering blocking access to shows on its Web
site, but a decision has not yet been made, a
source familiar with the matter said.
FCC Commissioner Michael Copps and Rep. Ed Markey
(D-Mass.) were among federal officials who
criticized a similar decision by News Corp. to
block content as a violation of open-Internet
guidelines at the FCC that say consumers should
have access to the content of their choice on the
Web.
Stifel Nicolaus analyst Rebecca Arbogast said in
a note earlier this week that such episodes will
garner continued concern by lawmakers and FCC
officials. The FCC has asked Comcast and NBC
Universal about how its merger would impact the
distribution of online videos as the biggest
broadband provider and a major content firm
combine.
"While the issue is analytically distinct from
network neutrality, it could reinforce increased
scrutiny of Internet video issues, including in
the content of the Comcast/NBC Universal review,"
she wrote.
By Cecilia Kang | October 22, 2010; 12:30 AM ET
Categories: Consumers, FCC, Google, Media, Online Video
Back to Bert:
If I buy an Internet-enabled TV, I would expect
no collusion WHATEVER between Fox, or some
independent web site, and the CE company that
makes the TV set. I expect that the TV set would
support access to any web site, and would
support the conditional access standards that
already exist.
As you can see from the story above, the Congloms
are doing EXACTLY what you object to. And that is
what I tried to point out in my previous post.
I just don't see why Fox would have to have the
MVPD model survive at all. They can achieve the
same effect without traditional MVPDs, if they
so choose.
No they cannot.
Fox has properties "across the dial" on MVPD platforms.
FX
FX HD
National Geographic Channel
National Geographic Channel HD
Nat Geo WILD
SPEED
SPEED HD
Big Ten Network
Big Ten Network HD
Fox Reality Channel
FSN
19 owned-and-operated regional sports networks
FUEL TV
Fox Movie Channel
Fox Soccer Channel
Fox Soccer Plus
Fox Sports en Español/FOX Deportes
FOX College Sports (Atlantic, Central, Pacific)
Most of these are included in the extended basic
tiers of MVPD systems; each delivers subscriber
fee revenues and ad revenues.
It is true that Fox could offer all of these
networks in a bundle for Internet subscribers;
But they would have to charge a healthy fee for
all, or offer them ala carte, in which case they
might make less money. And then there is the
reality that the MVPDs are going to survive for a
long time on the strength that they are the ONLY
place to get popular channels like ESPN.
And if the congloms can selectively block content
via the Internet, based on your ISP or the
platform you are using, as they are NOW doing,
the MVPD model will survive even longer.
Which says to me, you're off base when you put
all the blame on the content oligopoly.
Not all the blame. The MVPDs are equally
culpable. Unfortunately, the reality is that
these disputes between the MVPDs and the Congloms
are all about creating the perception that one or
the other is looking out for their customers. It
give them cover for ever incresing rates...
Regards
Craig
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