[opendtv] Re: MVPD Definition

  • From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: "opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2015 08:21:55 -0400

On Aug 26, 2015, at 8:08 PM, Manfredi, Albert E
<albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Craig Birkmaier wrote:

The content owners can do exactly what the Program Access Rule were
created to prevent - advantaging an affiliated monopoly or a
preferred business partner.

And once again, this does not matter to the consumer, or consequently to the
govt, *if* there is ubiquitous competition in the distribution pipe.

But this does matter to the consumer. There is nothing ubiquitous about
competition through "your pipe" today. I cannot buy the content I want, that I
am currently getting from my MVPD bundle. This may change, and I'll be the
first on the block to cut the cord when it does.

For example, ESPN deals with Sling TV, which anyone can access.

Great. But I cannot get many other sources of content I want from Sling, even
with add on mini bundles, and Sling only allows one stream. When the kids are
here we need at least two streams.

Now some other OTT site, also available to everyone, builds a really
attractive bundle that many people buy. But it does not include ESPN.

Question for Craig: Do you really think that ESPN won't want to stick its
foot in that door, somehow?

They don't want to cut a deal with Sony Play Station Vue. Perhaps they expect
the deal they are working on with Apple to be their best option. I don't know
what Skipper or Iger are thinking, nor do you.

Why is it so difficult to understand that the market distortions were created
ny the local monopolies for distribution? And that the 1992 act was meant to
protect consumers against those inevitable market distortions of the day?

Because that's not what happened. What happened is that the cable monopolies
were growing rapidly with exclusive content that was causing broadcasters to
lose a huge chunk of their audience. And the cable monopoly proved that they
could get subscribers to pay for this content. So the broadcasters got their
buddies in Congress to cut them in on the action in 1992. Now six companies
control 90% of what we watch, be in FOTA, FOTI, SVOD or packaged media sold in
both physical and virtual stores.

Regards
Craig


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