Commissioner Clyburn on watch for market failure in retransmission negotiations

Federal Communications Commission member Mignon Clyburn told the American Cable Association that she is on the lookout for market failure when it comes to retransmission consent negotiations.

These negotiations set the fees pay-TV providers must pay to broadcasters to play their content. Fee disputes can lead to TV blackouts. Commissioner Clyburn said: "I fully understand the intent of the retrans rules, and that market forces should be allowed to work. But I am on the lookout for the consumers in this country, and if the market isn't working, we need to consider taking appropriate steps. We'll carefully look through the comments and replies that come in as a result of questions we asked last month, and I'll continue to work with your D.C. team on your concerns. While I can't stop all of you all from working with NASA to build a time machine set back to 1992 so you can improve the retrans language before the Cable Act passes, I hope you'll trust me to keep your interests in mind as we move forward."