Today, Public Knowledge filed reply comments on the Federal Communications Commission’s recent Notice of Inquiry addressing the availability of diverse and independent video programming. The Commission is specifically seeking input on ways that large pay TV companies can harm diverse and independent programmers and hold back emerging competition from new video devices. Public Knowledge supports the FCC’s efforts to build a record documenting these abuses.
The following can be attributed to Dallas Harris, Policy Fellow at Public Knowledge:
“We are experiencing a new ‘golden age’ of creativity in television, both through traditional pay TV models and over-the-top content delivery. However, many of these new creative voices have yet to achieve their full potential and bring diversity and independence in programming for consumers and content creators. As Public Knowledge notes in our reply comments today, the FCC’s record contains substantial evidence that some creators are being inhibited by restrictive contractual terms that limit their ability to reach new audiences.
“The FCC has demonstrated a consistent willingness to face anticompetitive problems like this head-on. President Obama also highlighted the far-reaching anticompetitive problems in the video marketplace and announced an initiative to tackle them. This FCC proceeding represents an opportunity for better consumer choices and more diverse voices in video. And it is a critical piece in a broader examination of how to nurture a truly competitive, innovative media ecosystem.”
You may view our FCC Independent Programming reply comments here. You may also view our initial comments.
Members of the media may contact Communications Director Shiva Stella with inquiries, interview requests, or to join the Public Knowledge press list at shiva@publicknowledge.org or 405-249-9435.