US: FCC’s Wheeler moves on new Set-Top Box plan

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler is circulating a modified pay-television set-top box proposal at the commission ahead of a scheduled Sept. 29 vote on the plan, the agency said Sept. 8.

Wheeler is calling for pay-TV providers such as Comcast Corp. to develop and provide free applications that can be incorporated into third-party video delivery platforms including streaming devices, gaming consoles, and smart TVs.

The chairman is trying to resurrect agency action on set-top box rules after an earlier proposal ran into pay-TV industry opposition and a bipartisan chorus of congressional concern. His new plan is aimed at addressing concerns raised by multi-channel video distribution providers and content owners about the earlier proposal recommending that pay-TV providers be required to deliver specific information streams to third party device or app developers.

“I’ve circulated a proposal that would require pay-TV providers to offer to consumers a free app to access all the programming and features,” Wheeler wrote in a Sept. 8 blog post. “Consumers will be able to use this app on the device of their choosing, whether that’s a streaming device, gaming console, or even your current smartTV. This proposal would also enable integrated search across platforms and services, while protecting content and privacy.”

Full Content: Bloomberg

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