Most cable customers pay an average of $231 a year to rent their set-top boxes from their providers, amounting to an annual tab of $20 billion in fees. (Photo: Mr.TinDC/flickr/cc)
Sep 08, 2016
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is proposing a new set of rules to break up big cable's "stranglehold" on set-top boxes, the devices that use source signals to transmit content onto television screens.
"[W]hen it comes to the set-top-box that delivers our pay-TV subscriptions, we have essentially no options, creating headaches and costing us serious money in rental fees. That makes no sense," FCC chairman Tom Wheeler wrote in an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times on Thursday, noting that most cable customers pay an average of $231 a year to rent their set-top boxes from their providers, amounting to an annual tab of $20 billion in fees nationwide.
"We keep paying these charges even after the cost of the box has been recovered because we have no meaningful alternative," Wheeler wrote.
The FCC's new rules would require pay-TV companies to provide free apps rather than boxes that consumers can download onto their devices, where the programs they already paid for would be available.
Wheeler wrote:
If you want to watch Comcast's content through your Apple TV or Roku, you can. If you want to watch DirectTV's offerings through your Xbox, you can. If you want to pipe Verizon's service directly to your smart TV, you can. And if you want to watch your current pay-TV package on your current set-top box, you can do that, too. The choice is yours. No longer will you be forced to rent set-top boxes from your pay-TV provider.
That would expand consumers' access to integrated searching, which, for example, allows viewers to simply type in the name of a film and find out information about its upcoming broadcast and streaming availability--and that means more access to "independent and diverse voices," he explained. "These rules will open the door for innovation, spurring new apps and devices, giving consumers even more choice and user control."
The consumer advocacy group Common Cause applauded the proposed rules, tweeting a "Kudos" to Wheeler and the commission and writing that the campaign, known as Unlock the Box, will "save consumers money, unleash innovation, and promote diversity."
"This is a golden era for watching television and video. By empowering consumers to access their content on their terms, it's about to get cheaper--and even better," Wheeler said.
Cable service giants largely oppose the plan.
A vote on the proposal is expected on September 29. If it is adopted, cable companies will have two years to comply, while smaller providers will have four.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Nadia Prupis
Nadia Prupis is a former Common Dreams staff writer. She wrote on media policy for Truthout.org and has been published in New America Media and AlterNet. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a BA in English in 2008.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is proposing a new set of rules to break up big cable's "stranglehold" on set-top boxes, the devices that use source signals to transmit content onto television screens.
"[W]hen it comes to the set-top-box that delivers our pay-TV subscriptions, we have essentially no options, creating headaches and costing us serious money in rental fees. That makes no sense," FCC chairman Tom Wheeler wrote in an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times on Thursday, noting that most cable customers pay an average of $231 a year to rent their set-top boxes from their providers, amounting to an annual tab of $20 billion in fees nationwide.
"We keep paying these charges even after the cost of the box has been recovered because we have no meaningful alternative," Wheeler wrote.
The FCC's new rules would require pay-TV companies to provide free apps rather than boxes that consumers can download onto their devices, where the programs they already paid for would be available.
Wheeler wrote:
If you want to watch Comcast's content through your Apple TV or Roku, you can. If you want to watch DirectTV's offerings through your Xbox, you can. If you want to pipe Verizon's service directly to your smart TV, you can. And if you want to watch your current pay-TV package on your current set-top box, you can do that, too. The choice is yours. No longer will you be forced to rent set-top boxes from your pay-TV provider.
That would expand consumers' access to integrated searching, which, for example, allows viewers to simply type in the name of a film and find out information about its upcoming broadcast and streaming availability--and that means more access to "independent and diverse voices," he explained. "These rules will open the door for innovation, spurring new apps and devices, giving consumers even more choice and user control."
The consumer advocacy group Common Cause applauded the proposed rules, tweeting a "Kudos" to Wheeler and the commission and writing that the campaign, known as Unlock the Box, will "save consumers money, unleash innovation, and promote diversity."
"This is a golden era for watching television and video. By empowering consumers to access their content on their terms, it's about to get cheaper--and even better," Wheeler said.
Cable service giants largely oppose the plan.
A vote on the proposal is expected on September 29. If it is adopted, cable companies will have two years to comply, while smaller providers will have four.
Nadia Prupis
Nadia Prupis is a former Common Dreams staff writer. She wrote on media policy for Truthout.org and has been published in New America Media and AlterNet. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a BA in English in 2008.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is proposing a new set of rules to break up big cable's "stranglehold" on set-top boxes, the devices that use source signals to transmit content onto television screens.
"[W]hen it comes to the set-top-box that delivers our pay-TV subscriptions, we have essentially no options, creating headaches and costing us serious money in rental fees. That makes no sense," FCC chairman Tom Wheeler wrote in an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times on Thursday, noting that most cable customers pay an average of $231 a year to rent their set-top boxes from their providers, amounting to an annual tab of $20 billion in fees nationwide.
"We keep paying these charges even after the cost of the box has been recovered because we have no meaningful alternative," Wheeler wrote.
The FCC's new rules would require pay-TV companies to provide free apps rather than boxes that consumers can download onto their devices, where the programs they already paid for would be available.
Wheeler wrote:
If you want to watch Comcast's content through your Apple TV or Roku, you can. If you want to watch DirectTV's offerings through your Xbox, you can. If you want to pipe Verizon's service directly to your smart TV, you can. And if you want to watch your current pay-TV package on your current set-top box, you can do that, too. The choice is yours. No longer will you be forced to rent set-top boxes from your pay-TV provider.
That would expand consumers' access to integrated searching, which, for example, allows viewers to simply type in the name of a film and find out information about its upcoming broadcast and streaming availability--and that means more access to "independent and diverse voices," he explained. "These rules will open the door for innovation, spurring new apps and devices, giving consumers even more choice and user control."
The consumer advocacy group Common Cause applauded the proposed rules, tweeting a "Kudos" to Wheeler and the commission and writing that the campaign, known as Unlock the Box, will "save consumers money, unleash innovation, and promote diversity."
"This is a golden era for watching television and video. By empowering consumers to access their content on their terms, it's about to get cheaper--and even better," Wheeler said.
Cable service giants largely oppose the plan.
A vote on the proposal is expected on September 29. If it is adopted, cable companies will have two years to comply, while smaller providers will have four.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.