dslreports logo
 story category
FCC Boss Riles Cable Astroturf Machine
'A La Carte' cable dust up...

As we've noted, both cable and phone operators not only make up completely bogus consumer groups to support their political positions, they also frequently donate cash to minority and disability organizations in exchange for vocal political support for policies that often aren't in constituents' best interest (or vice versa).

FCC boss Kevin Martin ran into some trouble last week when he criticized some cable industry-backed minority groups who were fighting against his desire to implement "a la carte" (the ability to purchase individual channels) cable programming:
quote:
"The grassroots opposition to a la carte is actually a highly sophisticated lobby campaign where seemingly disinterested third parties -- like nonprofits and legislators -- are spreading the anti-a la carte message using minority programming as the key issue. In fact, rather than being disinterested, these third parties have much to gain."
Those groups called Martin's comments "patronizing and insulting," and forced Martin to apologize. Of course, similar tactics were key in helping Martin and the phone industry push their vision of "franchise reform," but received no such tongue lashing from the FCC boss -- who the cable industry claims gives phone operators preferential treatment.
view:
topics flat nest 

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Martin's a la carte push doesn't have legal power behind it

The main problem with Martin's a la carte push is that he and the FCC don't have the necessary legal authority to ever make it work. He could pass rules forcing cable to offer a la carte. But he doesn't have the power to make the content providers in Hollywood offer their content at prices that would allow a la carte to ever work. And without the power to force Hollywood to stop offering their programs only in packages(like ESPN; ESPN2; ESPNC; etc.), his a la carte advocacy is going nowhere.

themainproblem
@tel-ott.com

-1 recommendation

themainproblem

Anon

Re: Martin's a la carte push doesn't have legal power behind it

I think the main problem is the rich in America aren't forced to stand behind their Money and Ideas.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: Martin's a la carte push doesn't have legal power behind it

said by themainproblem :

I think the main problem is the rich in America aren't forced to stand behind their Money and Ideas.
????????? Meaning what?
stevephl
join:2000-11-27
Colorado Springs, CO

stevephl to themainproblem

Member

to themainproblem
Obviously the rich in America have in fact stood behind their ideas and money this is how they became rich.
What does this have to do with the article?

a la carte is the wave of the future if certain low viewer programs fall by the wayside so be it, market forces will determine what programs to carry

MrMoody
Free range slave
Premium Member
join:2002-09-03
Smithfield, NC
Netgear CM500
Asus RT-AC68

1 recommendation

MrMoody to FFH5

Premium Member

to FFH5
said by FFH5:

But he doesn't have the power to make the content providers in Hollywood offer their content at prices that would allow a la carte to ever work.
Right you are. A little over 10 years ago when Dish Network was starting up and taking suggestions from their customers, they wanted to offer channels a la carte and the providers would NOT let them.

Jim Gurd
Premium Member
join:2000-07-08
Livonia, MI

1 edit

Jim Gurd to FFH5

Premium Member

to FFH5
said by FFH5:

without the power to force Hollywood to stop offering their programs only in packages(like ESPN; ESPN2; ESPNC; etc.), his a la carte advocacy is going nowhere.
IANAL but doesn't this amount to illegal product tying? They're forcing you to buy something else in order to get what you really want.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

1 edit

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: Martin's a la carte push doesn't have legal power behind it

said by Jim Gurd:
said by FFH5:

without the power to force Hollywood to stop offering their programs only in packages(like ESPN; ESPN2; ESPNC; etc.), his a la carte advocacy is going nowhere.
IANAL but doesn't this amount to illegal product tying? They're forcing you to buy something else in order to get what you really want.
As best that I can determine, not being a lawyer either, "tying" is illegal at a federal level when it is used by firms ruled to be a monopoly(very very few anymore, MS was the last one I can recall). There are state laws against tying, but those only apply to companies NOT in interstate commerce(very few anymore, the feds rule just about all commerce). So what you are saying is correct, but it would be prosecuted by the Anti-Trust Div of the Dept of Justice. And they have shown little interest in pursuing anti-trust cases since they went after Microsoft.

»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ty ··· merce%29
mrbueno
join:2002-08-03
US

mrbueno

Member

A la carte exists

C-BAND satellite my friends. Of course we see how well that worked out.

Piggie
Just A Pig With A Computer
Premium Member
join:2005-11-23
Orange Springs, FL

Piggie

Premium Member

Re: A la carte exists

said by mrbueno:

C-BAND satellite my friends. Of course we see how well that worked out.

I would rather think C-band doesn't work because of 2 things, it's a bulky dish for a residential lot. And you have to buy the A La Carte' package from many different providers or buy a package deal from a reseller, which means you are back to packages.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

1 Martin reason for a la carte - don't learn English

»www.fcc.gov/commissioner ··· 2207.pdf
Under a la carte, however, Spanish speaking homes could purchase only Spanish language channels.
Yes, that will sure encourage Spanish speaking immigrants to learn English. He isn't helping out his cause by giving this as a good reason for a la carte.
bmn
? ? ?

join:2001-03-15
hiatus

bmn

Re: 1 Martin reason for a la carte - don't learn English

Actually he is... One of the fastest growing voting blocks in the US is the (legally immigrated) Hispanic vote.

hi
@perfora.net

hi

Anon

a la

Screw a la carte cable. I want naked cable modem service so I can get my shows a la carte via iTunes, YouTube, etc.