FCC Should Focus on Enforcement in New Set-Top Regime, WGAW Says
The FCC original set-top proposal, as explained in its NPRM, “remains the most effective way” of creating a competitive set-top market, said Writer's Guild of America, West in a letter posted in docket 16-42 Thursday. IT said the apps-based proposals…
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now being considered by the FCC should still contain many of the features outlined in the NPRM, including parity of content between pay-TV and third-party devices, universal search, over-the-top programming integrated with pay-TV programming, and DVR functionality. “These requirements will ensure a level playing field for navigation device competitors,” WGAW said. The FCC should also “recognize the critical role oversight and enforcement must play to ensure compliance under an app-based model,” WGAW said. Multichannel video programming distributors "have every incentive to undermine the effective operation of a competitive device market. It is therefore critical that, as an initial matter, the Commission deploy every regulatory and enforcement tool available at the outset,” WGAW said. Others want the proposal changed, citing copyright and other concerns (see 1609010084).