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News Digest
FCC to Review Keeping TV Signals On In Fee Disputes
TVPredictions.com

Washington, D.C. (March 12, 2010) -- FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski yesterday told a congressional panel that his agency will consider new rules that would prevent broadcast networks from pulling their TV signals in fee disputes with TV providers.

A group of cable, satellite and telco TV providers this week petitioned the FCC to consider new rules in fee disputes, such as binding arbitration.

The request was prompted by this month's battle between Disney-owned ABC and Cablevision which almost denied 3.1 million Cablevision viewers a chance to watch the Oscars. The fight was settled 15 minutes into the broadcast.

Genachowski told the Senate Commerce Committee that it was not fair that viewers could lose their favorite shows because two companies fail to reach a new programming agreement.

"(This) has been a topic of active consideration at the FCC," the agency chief said. "(The rules) in place may have lost pace with changes in the marketplace."

 Read more below.

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 Asked directly by Sen. John Kerry if the networks should be prevented from pulling their signals in fee disputes, Genachowski sidestepped the question. But he did say that viewers should be protected.

The FCC could decide to force broadcast networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox to keep their signals on the air in future battles. However, the agency currently does not have jurisdiction over cable networks.
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Phillip Swann is president and publisher of TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in dozens of publications and broadcast outlets, including CNN, Fox News, Inside Edition, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Financial Times, The Associated Press and The Hollywood Reporter. He can be reached at swann@tvpredictions.com or at 703-505-3064.

Click TVPredictions.com to read more news and features on TV technology. 

 
 
 
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