FCC approves changes to CableCARD rules

FCC approves changes to CableCARD rules
By Gautham Nagesh - 10/14/10 01:56 PM ET


The Federal Communications Commission moved Thursday to open up the retail market for companies that provide cable set-top boxes and digital video recorders.

At Thursday's open meeting, the FCC issued an order that would promote competition in the marketplace for set-top boxes by ensuring retail devices such as TiVo have the same access to prescheduled programming as cable providers. The order would also make CableCARD pricing and billing more transparent, streamline the installation process, and ease requirements on manufacturers and operators upgrading their equipment.

"Our ultimate goal in this area is to unleash maximum innovation through the TV. We’ve seen significantly less innovation — fewer new devices, applications and services — on the digital TV platform than on the computer or mobile platforms," FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said.

"There is also poor pricing transparency of CableCARDs because the cost of the card is often bundled with other equipment and service fees. As a result, consumers often don’t know what CableCARDs cost — making it difficult to make an informed decision whether to buy or lease a box," he added.

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http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/124259-fcc-approves-changes-to-cable-box-rules

Internet TV is the future. Cut the cord and save a fortune.

and I rarely do that anymore. I think we will be dumping cable very soon.

If AMC, HBO, etc had a clue, they would dump cable and just promote through the net. And charge a flat rate like Netflix.

If Netflix had a clue, they would just sign a deal with AMC, HBO, etc and become the new "cable" giant.

I really really really really don't want TBN, and have already placed blocks on it so the kids don't watch