The FCC has released its annual request for information on competition in the video programming market.
In recent years, video-programming distribution has expanded to include alternative methods such as the Internet and local exchange carriers (such as telephone company fiber to the home). In the Notice of Inquiry in the Matter of Annual Assessment of the Status of Competition in the Market for the Delivery of Video Programming, the commission requested information on video distributors using both wireless and wire-line technology, including cable systems, DBS providers, big-dish C-band video programming providers, broadband service providers, private cable or SMATV systems, open video systems, MMDS ("wireless cable"), local exchange carriers, utility-operated systems and broadcasters. It also sought information on video programming distributed on videocassettes or DVDs as well as over the Internet and seeks comment on technical issues, including new equipment and emerging services.
In addition to the technical topics, the FCC is looking for information on horizontal concentration of video distribution services and vertical integration between programming distributors and programming services.
For more information, see the FCC new release FCC Issues Inquiry for Annual Report to Congress on Video Competition and the Notice of Inquiry in the Matter of Annual Assessment of the Status of Competition in the Market for the Delivery of Video Programming. When the FCC issues its report, I'll summarize the results here.
LATEST ARTICLES