FCC Launches Video Competition Review

FCC LAUNCHES VIDEO COMPETITION REVIEW
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The FCC for the first time will look at the effect of family cable programming tiers on price and service in its annual review of competition in the video marketplace. The Commission will also expand its view by looking at the impact of Internet video, IPTV, mobile video and even home video rental and sales on the marketplace, all but home video having taken off substantially since its 2005 competition report. The FCC is soliciting information, including programming, technical, and financial information, from the relevant industries. Those include DBS, cable, broadband, private cable, wireless, and over-the-air broadcast TV as the new delivery systems.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6380446.html?display=Breaking+News

* FCC Issues Inquiry for Annual Report to Congress on Video Competition
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267863A1.doc

* Copps Statement: "If we are going to continue to improve these Reports, we need the submission of detailed comments from the widest possible range of sources. Our analysis can be only as good as the data going into it. If the record that develops falls short in any way, the Commission must then rely upon other public data to round out the picture of competition in the video programming marketplace. My preferred method would entail, in addition to the submitted comments and public data, intensive and proactive Commission information-gathering to obtain independent and verified data. Such an effort would help ensure the accuracy of our findings and help us to fulfill Congress' directive."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267863A2.doc

* Adelstein Statement:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267863A3.doc

* McDowell Statement:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267863A4.doc

* MAP Questions FCC's Upcoming NOI on Video Competition
"It is unfortunate that the Commission has initiated another annual report without finishing last year's business. While the Commission is to be applauded for trying to improve its video competition report, it means nothing if the Commission refuses to act on the information it collects. The Commission has yet to resolve the question raised by last year's report -- whether cable penetration has met the so called 70/70 test of Section 612(g)."
http://www.mediaaccess.org/press/Video%20NOI.pdf