The FCC Media Bureau asked for comment Sept. 23 on a request by Cablevision Systems for a waiver of commission rules for its franchise in New York City that currently prohibit cable operators from encrypting their basic service tier.
The cable operator is seeking to encrypt the basic tier — home to local broadcasters, public, educational and government channels — as part of its upgrade to an all-digital system. According to Cablevision, allowing the encryption would “reduce costs, improve customer service, reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, and have virtually no negative impact on customers.”
The bureau is seeking comment on the request by Oct. 22. The reply comment date is Nov. 6.
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