New FCC report advocates a la carte TV pricing

Iria · Nov 29, 2005, 06:54 PM

Cable and satellite TV viewers may soon have the option of subscribing only to the channels they want to watch, if the Federal Communications Commission gets its way.

On Tuesday FCC chairman Kevin Martin spoke to a forum, sponsored by the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee in Washington, which has been examining indecency on radio and television. Martin told the forum that the FCC will soon release a report that concludes that offering TV programming a la carte is economically feasible and in the best interest of consumers.

Today, instead of subscribing only to the channels they want to watch, cable and satellite TV consumers must buy packages that include a standard set of channels.

The new report, which has not been released yet, contradicts a report published in November 2004 by the FCC under then Chairman Michael Powell. The earlier report concluded that a la carte and tiered pricing models, such as a family tier, would result in higher cable prices.

"I had many concerns with this (earlier) report, including the logic and some of the assumptions used," Martin said during his testimony to the Senate forum. "I asked the media bureau, as well as our chief economist, to take a more thorough look at the issue. The staff is now finalizing a report that concludes that the earlier report relied on problematic assumptions and presented incorrect and incomplete analysis."
_____________
Read More / Source: News.com

calidan · Nov 29, 2005, 07:13 PM

I hope this goes through. I shouldn't have to pay for channels I don't watch or don't want to support.

Shike · Nov 30, 2005, 01:40 AM

Oh God, please go through! I can't take another Spanish channel, please for the love of God go through!

Dark Lord · Nov 30, 2005, 02:12 AM

that would be great. can ditch the 20 or so religous channels i get, pick up comedy central and a couple of others that i cant get now.

Nov 29, 2005, 06:54 PM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 74	New FCC report advocates a la carte TV pricing Cable and satellite TV viewers may soon have the option of subscribing only to the channels they want to watch, if the Federal Communications Commission gets its way. On Tuesday FCC chairman Kevin Martin spoke to a forum, sponsored by the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee in Washington, which has been examining indecency on radio and television. Martin told the forum that the FCC will soon release a report that concludes that offering TV programming a la carte is economically feasible and in the best interest of consumers. Today, instead of subscribing only to the channels they want to watch, cable and satellite TV consumers must buy packages that include a standard set of channels. The new report, which has not been released yet, contradicts a report published in November 2004 by the FCC under then Chairman Michael Powell. The earlier report concluded that a la carte and tiered pricing models, such as a family tier, would result in higher cable prices. "I had many concerns with this (earlier) report, including the logic and some of the assumptions used," Martin said during his testimony to the Senate forum. "I asked the media bureau, as well as our chief economist, to take a more thorough look at the issue. The staff is now finalizing a report that concludes that the earlier report relied on problematic assumptions and presented incorrect and incomplete analysis." _____________ Read More / Source: News.com

Nov 29, 2005, 07:13 PM	#2
calidan Frozen in Carbonite Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 1,409 Rep Power: 43 System Specs	I hope this goes through. I shouldn't have to pay for channels I don't watch or don't want to support. __________________ Steam Community :: ID :: calidan "Don't try to be like Jackie. There is only one Jackie.... Study computers instead." - Jackie Chan

Nov 30, 2005, 02:12 AM	#4
Dark Lord DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 5,559 Rep Power: 63 System Specs	that would be great. can ditch the 20 or so religous channels i get, pick up comedy central and a couple of others that i cant get now. __________________

Nov 30, 2005, 01:40 AM	#3
Shike Official Cyberpunk ^_- Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 904 Rep Power: 0	Oh God, please go through! I can't take another Spanish channel, please for the love of God go through!