Amazon Warns FCC About OTT Redefinition

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler proposed reclassifying some linear over-the-top (OTT) video providers as multichannel video programming distributors to help boost them as a competitor for traditional cable, but OTT provider Amazon is advising the agency not to. In meetings with Republican FCC Commissioners and their staffs earlier in September, Amazon executives and their counsel argued that the OTT marketplace is already "vibrant and growing" without the FCC stepping in.

Chairman Wheeler's proposal is to require that linear online video distributors be given access to cable-affiliated programming and local TV station broadcasts regardless of whether or not they have facilities based distribution platforms. Beyond that, it tees up lots of questions about how to apply that definition and the ramifications of doing so.