Opponents Growing To Martin's Unbundling Plan

Corporate and industry lobbyists are pressuring Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin Martin to drop a plan that would bar any cable network from demanding access to a specific programming tier or to a certain percentage of subscribers. TV stations that insist on compensation could not demand access to all cable subscribers. Contracts in conflict with FCC policy would be void. The plan would empower cable operators to decide nearly all pricing and packaging options for consumers, which Martin believes would reduce pressure on cable operators to raise their rates each year. Chairman Martin wants the FCC to approve his plan Dec. 18. That would launch a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which wouldn't conclude in a vote until long after Martin has stepped down as chairman.