FCC Proposes Modernizing Pay TV Subscriber Notification Rules

The Federal Communications Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that explores ways to enable pay-tv providers (multichannel video programming distributors in regulatoryspeak), such as cable and satellite providers, to communicate with their subscribers in more efficient and less costly ways. Specifically, the Notice proposes to allow cable operators to send general written notices to subscribers by email, as long as they use a verified email address and comply with other consumer safeguards. The NPRM also proposes to allow cable operators, satellite carriers, and open video systems to deliver certain subscriber privacy notifications by email, subject to certain consumer safeguards, and to permit cable operators to respond to consumer requests or complaints by email in certain situations. Additionally, today’s Notice asks about other ways to update the cable notice rules, including whether to allow cable operators to provide certain subscriber notices on the cable operator’s website. It further asks how the Commission should update the requirement that television broadcast stations send carriage election notices to cable or satellite operators by certified mail.