DirecTV: Leave Our Set-Top Out of It

DirecTV continues to argue that it should not be subjected to the same Federal Communications Commission regulations that require cable to let retail consumer electronics — like TiVo DVRs — access programming without a separate set-top box. The satellite-TV giant reiterated in a filing with the FCC last week that it should not be required to open its set-top boxes to allow consumer-electronics manufacturers to sell devices at retail that would be able to access its satellite TV programming along with other sources of video. In the Dec. 15 filing, DirecTV responded to the FCC's request for input on how Internet-delivered video and pay TV operators' services could be accessed through the same set-top box, and potentially further the national adoption of broadband. Specifically, the agency said it wanted to "spur the development of a retail market for nationally portable video devices that will work across all delivery platforms, including MVPD [multichannel video programming distribution] platforms and broadband-based video platforms." The National Cable & Telecommunications Association has long advocated an "all-MVPD solution" that would work across cable, satellite and telco TV — an approach also favored by consumer-interest groups.