Wheeler proposes new competition to cable

This week in an FCC blog post, Chair Tom Wheeler asked the commission to approve a measure that would give over-the-top (OTT) online video providers new rights.

“The result of this technical adjustment,” wrote Wheeler, “will be to give MVPDs (multichannel video programming distributors) that use the Internet (or any other method of transmission) the same access to programming owned by cable operators and the same ability to negotiate to carry broadcast TV stations that Congress gave to satellite systems in order to ensure competitive video markets.”

This change could be of significant advantage to consumers. Wheeler wrote:

“Taking advantage of this rule, new OTTs may offer smaller or specialized packages of video programming, so consumers will be able to mix-and-match to suit their tastes.  Aereo recently visited the Commission to make exactly this point – that updating the definition of an MVPD will provide consumers with new choices.  And perhaps consumers will not be forced to pay for channels they never watch.”

Tech Transitions, Video, and the Future (Wheeler FCC blog, Oct. 28, 2014)