-
-
Court Backs Cable Competition
Court Backs Cable Competition
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: June 28, 2008
CINCINNATI (AP) — A federal appeals court on Friday upheld the Federal Communications Commission’s authority to set rules meant to make it easier for new cable television competitors to gain local franchises.
Local governments across the country filed legal challenges to agency rules that the F.C.C. said would speed the approval process for new competitors, cap fees paid by new entrants to local governments and ease requirements that competitors build systems that reach every home.
In a series of lawsuits that were consolidated in the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, in Cincinnati, the local governments contended that the F.C.C. had overstepped its authority.
To offer cable television service, a company must negotiate a franchise agreement with the local government. Some companies contended that local governments made unreasonable demands during negotiations and held up applications.
A three-judge panel ruled unanimously Friday for the F.C.C., which it said provided evidence that the local franchising process was “unreasonably impeding competitive entry into the cable television market.”
The commission’s chairman, Kevin J. Martin, said the court ruling vindicated the agency’s action and would help consumers.
“Cable rates are continuing to rise, year after year,” he said. “Over the last 10 years, they’ve more than doubled. And I think it’s critical that we find a way to give consumers some additional choice and some more competition to help control soaring cable prices.”
Plaintiffs’ lawyers were studying the opinion and there was no immediate word on whether they would appeal. They could ask for review by the full appeals court or go to the Supreme Court.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/28/business/media/28cabl... Court Backs Cable Competition By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: June 28, 2008 ... more -
Digital Cable Lasts Forever? A Cable Box Dies
WASHINGTON - The set-top box, a necessary appendage for millions of cable televisions for decades, is moving toward extinction.
A leading television manufacturer, Sony Electronics Inc., and the National Cable and Telecommunications Association said Tuesday they signed an agreement that will allow viewers to rid themselves of set-top boxes, yet still receive advanced "two-way" cable services, such as pay-per-view movies.
In most cases, cable viewers also could dispose of another remote control since they could use their TV's control rather than one tied to the set-top box.
The agreement marks a significant meeting of the minds between cable companies and one of the world's dominant makers of consumer electronics. The two industries have been feuding for a decade about how best to deliver cable service to customers while allowing them to buy equipment of their own choosing.
Sony agreed to use the cable industry's technology in its sets as soon as possible but could not say when the first such televisions might be appear in stores.
The agreement is between Sony and the nation's six largest cable companies: Comcast Corp., Time Warner Cable Inc., Cox Communications Inc., Charter Communications Inc., Cablevision Systems Corp. and Bright House Networks. The six companies serve more than 82 percent of cable subscribers.
Cable subscribers are generally locked into renting a set-top box from their provider if they want more than the most basic cable TV service.
More than a decade ago, Congress ordered the cable industry to allow outside electronics makers to compete for the boxes. The industry developed the cable cards, which are inserted into televisions and add-on devices equipped to handle them.
The cards have been the source of frequent customer complaints and never proved popular. In addition, sets can only receive signals from their cable company, not vice versa. Subscribers were unable to enjoy "two-way" features such as video on demand, on-screen channel guides and cable company-provided digital video recorders.
Customers will still be able to attach their own devices — like TiVo digital video recorders, according to the NCTA.
Under the new system, customers will still need to get a cable card from their provider, but the agreement means, hopefully, technical glitches will be eliminated, "two-way" services will be available and there will be no need for the clunky boxes.
The cable association said it was hopeful other electronics manufacturers will also agree to use the same technology.
The industry hopes to head off action by the Federal Communications Commission to impose a two-way standard on the industry. The FCC declined to comment on the agreement Tuesday. WASHINGTON - The set-top box, a necessary appendage for millions of cable televisions for decades, is moving toward extinction. ... more -
The 420 Channel - Promo
The 420 Channel will soon be the cable television branch of The 420 Network, a new multi-media internet/television/radio distribution platform for communication, specializing in film, TV, video, animation, music, arts, humanities, environment, and socially conscious satire.
http://www.the420network.com The 420 Channel will soon be the cable television branch of The 420 Network, a new multi-media internet/television/radio distribution ... more -
OB/GY/Dad
The Doctor is in... Funny sketch from Ball State group "Something Else" http://www.somethingelsetv.com
-
Guy uses gun to shoot a hole in wall for cable TV, makes hole but kills wife
Of all the things your average cable guy would use to create the holes in your house for your new satellite service, a .22 caliber pistol wouldn't be my preferred choice.
But Ronald Long did just that. After several unsuccessful efforts to punch a hole through the exterior wall using other means, he picked up the pistol and fired a shot from the inside of his home. He then shot another bullet at the wall and then called to his wife who was outside 'overseeing' the installation. When she didn't reply he ran outside to find her fatally wounded.
Police are investigating the case to see if the hapless Cable TV installer will be prosecuted for his wife's murder. Of all the things your average cable guy would use to create the holes in your house for your new satellite service, a .22 caliber pis... more -
Tucker's show cancelled on MSNBC!!! Oh no!!!
Nooooo! Now the only time to catch him is when he drops in on Morning Joe at 3 am Pacific Time to banter with Morning Joe and Willie Geist about the previous day's news makers and whatnot... I blame Dan Abrams and his unnecessarily redundant obsession with Clinton v. Obama. Phil Griffin will rue the day Tucker got cancelled! Nooooo! Now the only time to catch him is when he drops in on Morning Joe at 3 am Pacific Time to banter with Morning Joe and Willie G... more
-
Not Excited about the Super Bowl Halftime Show? Check out these Alternatives
The cable industry is offering up a bevy of alternatives to the Super Bowl's halftime show featuring Tom Petty. Some of the options include...
1. FX: grown men stuffing themselves with eggs and ham
2. Oxygen: Deion Sanders skirmishing with his wife over household chores
3. Animal Planet: kittens squaring off on a football field
Both FX and Oxygen are starting their halftime shows once the whistle is blown ending the first half on FOX. Animal Planet will be broadcasting the "Puppy Bowl" and the "Kitten Bowl" will take place at halftime (aimed to be timed closely to the Super Bowl).
What, no lingerie bowl? Whatever happened to the Bud Bowl?
The cable industry is offering up a bevy of alternatives to the Super Bowl's halftime show featuring Tom Petty. Some of the options i... more -
You Only Have Five Cable Channels. GO!
So here's a fun game. Say you only have to chose from 5 cable channels for the rest of your life. What would they be?
Mine would be:
1.) HBO- I need 'The Wire' and non-stop marathons of 'White Chicks.'
2.) VH1- I can't live without any of their campy 'Celebreality' programming.
3.) Discovery Channel- Nothing says sick day like a 'Deadliest Catch' marathon.
4.) FX- Take away my 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' or non-stop marathons of 'White Chicks' and I'll punch you in the throat.
5.) Comedy Central- 'South Park,' 'The Daily Show,' and non-stop marathons of 'White Chicks.' 'Nuff said.
And before you razz me for not listing Current, DUH! You can watch everything we run on television on the AMAZING Current.com website!
Anyone else have a top 5? So here's a fun game. Say you only have to chose from 5 cable channels for the rest of your life. What would they be? ... more -
Dear Jerry: please keep football ON THE FIELD and get over yourself.
So, the fight between the NFL and large cable companies was taken to the Texas Capitol yesterday. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones made their pitch to the Texas House Regulated Industries Committee to get their fledgling NFL Network into more households. "As America's team, the Dallas Cowboys have millions of fans outside the home market who are being kept in the dark by Big Cable," Jones said. Okay buddy, seriously? PLEASE. First, if they want us fans to see all the games, why'd they take them off of free television? They need to stop blaming cable companies for a problem that they created. Second, this step in urging the state to intervene is entirely inappropriate, and I doubt is even in its jurisdiction. Third, and most importantly, Jones - I still resent that you ran Johnson outta Dallas. Voiceover: "Hey, Jerry! You've just won back-to-back Super Bowls! What are you gonna do now?" Jerry: "Can my coach." Fire Jimmy, hire Barry Switzer...that's pretty much dumb and dumber. Don't get me wrong though, I've still got love for my boys -- just not for the man with the neverending ego trip. So, the fight between the NFL and large cable companies was taken to the Texas Capitol yesterday. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and C... more
-
The Internet revolution has stalled
The Internet is becoming too expensive and elite.
-
Got NFL Network?
It's one of the biggest games of the year, but Cowboys fans, like myself, in many parts of America won't be able to watch it on cable Thursday night. The face-off between the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers, both teams with 10-1 records and possible home-field advantage throughout the playoffs at stake, will not be shown by Time Warner Cable, America's second largest cable company, because of a impasse with the NFL Network. During a conference call last week, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said fans should blame the big cable companies if they cant get the NFL Network. Jones points out that 240 smaller cable companies, with a combined 8 million subscribers, are carrying the network and have not passed along price increases to their customers. Really though, who the heck cares who's to blame? I just want to watch the game. So...y'all better make friends with people who have satellite tv or head to a local bar to watch the game. It's one of the biggest games of the year, but Cowboys fans, like myself, in many parts of America won't be able to watch it on cable ... more
-
Support for independent entrants? Diversity of programming? Ownership caps?
Is a new era in the cable television industry at hand? The FCC will impose new regulations to open up the cable television market for independents and competitors like DBS providers.
Here, here.
I'd like to think that the incredible innovation that we've demonstrated at Current in the last 3 years is a testament to the need for more independence.
Is a new era in the cable television industry at hand? The FCC will impose new regulations to open up the cable television market for ... more -
FCC To End Exclusive Cable For Apartments
Goal is to facilitate competition and lower prices. Prices have risen 93% over past 10 years on average.
-
FCC Set to End Sole Cable Deals for Apartments
Dood, cable is WAY overpriced...hopefully this really will help. Sometimes the FCC does get it right [altho i'm still no fan of Kevin Martin, chair of the FCC].
"The Federal Communications Commission, hoping to reduce the rising costs of cable television, is preparing to strike down thousands of contracts this week that gave individual cable companies exclusive rights to provide service to an apartment building, the agencys chairman says.
The new rule could open markets across the country to far-ranging competition. It would also be a huge victory for Verizon Communications and AT&T, which have challenged the cable industry by offering their own video services. The two companies have lobbied aggressively for the provision. They have been supported in their fight by consumer groups, satellite television companies and small rivals to the big cable providers. " Dood, cable is WAY overpriced...hopefully this really will help. Sometimes the FCC does get it right [altho i'm still no fan of Kevin... more -
YouTube Deepens Commercial Relationship with Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera signed a commercial agreement with Google last week to share advertising revenue on their YouTube channel. The channel originally launched in April 2007. This comes even as U.S. cable operators continue to shun the 24 hour news service only Toledo, Ohio based Buckeye CableSystem and the municipal cable suppler in Burlington, Vermont offer the channel to viewers. Al Jazeera signed a commercial agreement with Google last week to share advertising revenue on their YouTube channel. The channel orig... more
-
TV is Good For You
Cable TV is leading to female empowerment in rural India.
-
FCC head supports 'A la carte' cable
Quite a turnaround. I'm sure Al will be pleased.
-
Television news is bad for America, say Americans
Oodles and oodles of delicious stats about public opinion and local, cable and network news. In a nutshell, it's bad.
-
related topics
Cable TV
Contributors (63)
Cable TV
