Levin Seeks More Clarification From NAB

Blair Levin, the head of the Federal Communications Commission's National Broadband Plan team, continued his back and forth with broadcasters on issues related to the impact of spectrum allocations on retransmission consent negotiations. In a letter expected to be sent to National Association of Broadcasters Thursday, Levin asks the association for a response, to be filed publicly, clarifying points made in a response to his initial inquiry. He wants the NAB to 1) explain what studies or other support NAB had for asserting that over-the-air signals were a governor on cable and satellite pricing, and 2) provide a reaction to the alternate view that retransmission fees increase the cost of cable and satellite service to consumers because it boosts costs, which are then passed along to the customer.