Public Knowledge Applauds FCC Move to Curb Programming Costs
Public Knowledge Applauds FCC Move to Curb Programming Costs
Public Knowledge Applauds FCC Move to Curb Programming Costs

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    In a blog post today, Federal Communications Comission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler announced that the FCC will take action to curb anti-competitive actions by broadcasters that raise costs for TV viewers.  

    The following statement can be attributed to John Bergmayer, Senior Staff Attorney at Public Knowledge:  

    “Chairman Wheeler's announcement should be welcomed by all TV viewers. The FCC's actions will represent a meaningful attempt to rein in programming costs, by ensuring that local broadcasters negotiate for carriage on pay TV systems on their own behalf, instead of banding together with their ostensible competitors to coordinate their activities and demand above-market rates for their programming.  

    “As both the Department of Justice and now the FCC have found, the 'joint sales agreements'(JSAs) that, among other things, the FCC's new rules will address, raise serious concerns under both media ownership and competition law. We applaud the FCC for taking this important step.” 
     

    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.