Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

FCC Moves Ahead With Proposal Aiming to Make Subscription TV Available on Any Set-Top Box

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
68,240
39,047



apple_tv_diagonal-250x244.jpg
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission, in a three-to-two decision, has voted to move forward with its proposal that could de-couple cable subscriptions from cable set-top boxes in the future, according to The Verge.

FCC chairman Tom Wheeler first introduced the proposal last month, and it will now move to a comment period during which time businesses and customers in the U.S. will be able to voice their opinions about the changes.

Under the proposed guidelines, cable or satellite TV subscribers would be able to access their programming package using virtually any set-top box, including the Apple TV, rather than be forced to lease a cable box from Comcast, DirecTV, Time Warner Cable, or other cable or satellite providers.

Apple, Amazon, Roku, and other set-top box makers would be able to create an interface, such as an app, that provides subscribers with full access to their TV package, which Wheeler believes will lead to improved choice and innovation for customers. The move could also drive down costs of set-top boxes.
The competition, the Chairman argues, will drive down costs and improve device options for consumers. He said at the assembled meeting that "consumers have no choice today," and that the proposed rules did not make major changes for consumers. "It only creates the opportunity for them to have choice."

"While the cost of other technologies have fallen as competition increased, the cost of a set-top box has risen at more than three times the rate of inflation for American paid-TV subscribers over that same period," FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn said at the meeting, in support of the proposed rules. She noted that more than $200 per year was spent on set-top box rentals.
Click to expand...
Nevertheless, the FCC may face difficulties in attempting to get this proposal passed and implemented. While cable and satellite TV providers would retain control over their content, many are still reluctant to provide Apple or other companies with any control over how and where it is displayed.

The FCC's proposal could lead to a more streamlined cable watching experience on the new Apple TV, but Apple will continue to lack full control over the interface. A truer cord-cutting solution could be Apple's much-rumored streaming TV service, although those plans have reportedly been placed on hold for now.

Article Link: FCC Moves Ahead With Proposal Aiming to Make Subscription TV Available on Any Set-Top Box
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2016/02/18/fcc-moves-ahead-subscription-tv-proposal/
Why don't cable providers have an app on the ATV? Wouldn't this save them a lot of money by not having to provide a box to everyone?
 
  • Like
Reactions: scapegoat81
DBZmusicboy01 said:
HELLO To Higher Internet Costs
Click to expand...

I think this could drive down internet costs... 1) Think about the number of additional subscribers there could be and 2) how cable providers can spin this. I think this could be a lot like cell phone package changes in the past few years - it's all about the internet and not the minutes/text messages. Same thing could happen here - it's all about the internet and not the channels. We shall see though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: _mdavenport and harley3k
MacCubed said:
Really hope this goes through, STBs from Comcast suck
Click to expand...

Just had that thought when I tested out Pluto TV app on the new Apple TV the other night.

Such a pleasant and snappy guide experience.
Clearly "cable tv" should just be an App on a device. No need for bloatware/dog-slow/garbage boxes from Cable/Sat co's (they obviously liked charging people for them)
[doublepost=1455819356][/doublepost]
monaarts said:
I think this could drive down internet costs... 1) Think about the number of additional subscribers there could be and 2) how cable providers can spin this. I think this could be a lot like cell phone package changes in the past few years - it's all about the internet and not the minutes/text messages. Same thing could happen here - it's all about the internet and not the channels. We shall see though.
Click to expand...

Except for one huge problem....they usually have monopolies in their regions
 
turbineseaplane said:
Yeah - That puppy is well under way..

Our internet cost has crept up year over year now to offset the local provider (CableOne) losing people on the TV side.
Click to expand...

But that's the thing - it could INCREASE the number of people on the TV side. I could have ATT Uverse with Comcast cable, or vice versa, if that's what I wanted. I used to live in an apartment complex that only had satellite and I didn't get it because I hate satellite... I could have gotten Comcast via the internet.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ewkp
One way or another, these guys will get roughly the same $/month average out of households.

They will either get from you on the TV side, a combo of TV/Internet or if you're all Internet they'll just keep capping & jacking until they are getting what they want.

The cable companies nearly "own" the regulators and there's no (or very very little) competition within markets.
 
  • Like
Reactions: macs4nw
MacRumors said:
Under the proposed guidelines, cable or satellite TV subscribers would be able to access their programming package using virtually any set-top box, including the Apple TV, rather than be forced to lease a cable box from Comcast, DirecTV, Time Warner Cable, or other cable or satellite providers.
Click to expand...

That's nice, but I want some FCC options for my local OTA (Over The Air) channels to be provided to those same boxes too.

Gary
 
  • Like
Reactions: just.in.time
I would love for this to happen. I think of my parents who have had the same cable box for probably at least 10 years. I am sure they have paid 4 to 5 times over what the original cost of the box was, and continue paying every month. These things are a huge revenue stream for cable companies.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back