Rx for Retransmission

RX FOR RETRANSMISSION
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Rocco Commisso, Mediacom]
[Commentary] When it comes to governing the relationship between cable operators and broadcast-TV stations, “the industry has some major issues to face,” says Mediacom Communications CEO Rocco Commisso. His set of prescriptions: 1) Discrimination should not be acceptable. Broadcasters, like cable networks, should have published rate cards reflecting the station’s in-market ratings. 2) Local monopolies on broadcast-network signals should be eliminated. Cable operators should be allowed to import signals, especially when there is an impasse. 3) Anti-competitive marketing campaigns should be outlawed. A broadcaster should not be allowed to run marketing campaigns and subsidize a customer’s switch to another provider during negotiations. 4) Eliminate the requirement that broadcast-TV stations be part of the basic programming tier. If broadcasters’ signals can be placed on a separate tier of service, as is permitted on satellite platforms, they should be separable on cable as well. 5) Major broadcast networks should treat cable companies like broadband users. Cable systems should be able to make agreements directly with broadcast networks to take their full lineups or individual shows. 6) Allow operators to share in the advertising revenues. Cable operators should be entitled to two minutes of advertising on broadcast stations per hour. 7) The good faith standards for retransmission consent negotiations should be revisited. The FCC should outlaw any form of discriminatory pricing, abusive tactics and anti-competitive behavior by broadcasters. 8) Stop further relaxation of rules governing media consolidation. Particularly, no broadcaster should be allowed to own or operate more than one TV station in a market and use retransmission consent to hold cable companies and their customers hostage.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6415495.html?display=Opinion