[opendtv] FCC on retrans consent
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2011 19:40:15 -0600
http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0303/FCC-11-31A1.pdf
They present examples of how these negotiations have been disrupting consumers'
access to TV programming. They say, in paragraph 17,
"Subscribers are the innocent bystanders adversely affected when broadcasters
and MVPDs fail to reach an agreement to extend or renew their retransmission
consent contracts."
No they aren't! Subscribers have been buckling under for decades, to MVPD
increasing subscription fees. A *lot* longer than have the broadcasters been
demanding a kickback from those subscription fees. The demand inelasticity of
subscribers is the root of this problem.
Some discussion of whether broadcasters can withhold their signal from an MVPD
during a sweeps period. The MVPD, cable specifically, is not allowed to block a
broadcaster's signal during these periods, so why should the opposite be
allowed, was an MVPD argument.
Because it the mostly the broadcaster that is hurt by having its signal blocked
during the sweeps, right? Makes it look like no one watches their stuff. The
MVPD would benefit, since that drives down the broadcaster's leverage in
negotiations.
On exclusive use by the MVPD of the local broadcaster's signal:
"We seek comment on whether eliminating the Commission's network
non-duplication and syndicated exclusivity rules, without abrogating any
private contractual provisions, would have a beneficial impact on
retransmission consent negotiations. Would eliminating these rules help to
minimize regulatory intrusion in the market, thus better enabling free market
negotiations to set the terms for retransmission consent?"
Heh. I suppose this would really test out the notion that the audience craves
that local content, eh? But I think this was the most revolutionary idea in the
document. Wow. That would change things.
Mostly, the FCC wants to strengthen the "good faith negotiations standards," I
guess to give the FCC more authority to force these along. The FCC is worried
about protecting the "innocent consumer." Then distribute OTA antennas.
Bert
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