FCC Martin parting shot
January 21, 2009
Outgoing Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin has issued notices of liability against several cable operators for their alleged failure to respond to an agency investigation into the migration of analogue channels to digital tiers. In total, 31 notices were assessed against numerous operations controlled by large cable operators. Those listed in the FCC Enforcement Bureau’s action include Bright House, Cablevision, Charter, Comcast, Cox, Midcontinent, Suddenlink and Time Warner Cable.
Martin said that it is “universally accepted that cable rates have risen dramatically over the past decade and that consumers’ bills for video services are too high. And now, when cable operators migrate analogue channels to a digital tier, consumers are forced to pay more if they wish to continue watching the same channels.” Each notice levies a fine of $25,000 and an order to respond to the request for information within 10 days.