FCC Chairman Wheeler Delays Controversial Set-Top Box Proposal

The FCC today announced that the Set-Top Box Order has been removed from the September Open Meeting Agenda and the proposal will go on the Commissions circulation list and remain under consideration by Commissioners

The Federal Communications Commission issued a short announcement today that delayed a vote on a controversial proposal giving pay TV consumers access without a cable box to programming they pay for every month. Cable companies have argued that the proposal exceeded the FCC legal authority and was an example of government unauthorized interference in the pay TV industry.

The statement released by the commissioners reads as follows:

“It’s time for consumers to say goodbye to costly set-top boxes.  It’s time for more ways to watch and more lower-cost options.  That’s why we have been working to update our policies under Section 629 of the Communications Act in order to foster a competitive market for these devices.  We have made tremendous progress – and we share the goal of creating a more innovative and inexpensive market for these consumer devices.  We are still working to resolve the remaining technical and legal issues and we are committed to unlocking the set-top box for consumers across this country.” 

Statement source: FCC release