FCC, Multichannel Video Programming

FCC Adopts "All-In" Pricing Rules for Video Service Providers

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 3/22/2024

At its March 14, 2024, open meeting, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted new rules that require multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs – cable television operators and satellite video providers) to...more

FCC Seeks Public Comment on Television Blackout Reporting Requirements

Wiley Rein LLP on 1/3/2024

Members of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have long expressed concern about the consumer impacts of so-called retransmission consent “blackouts,” which occur when a multichannel video programming distributor...more

FCC initiates proceeding to explore diversity in independent video programming

Hogan Lovells on 7/25/2023

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel’s office announced that she has circulated a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) among the other commissioners that would initiate a proceeding to explore...more

FCC Revises Broadcast Signal Carriage Election Notices for Cable, Satellite, and Other Multichannel Video Providers

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 7/16/2019

Every three years, commercial television stations must choose between retransmission consent and mandatory carriage, also known as must-carry status, for the carriage of their broadcast signals on cable and satellite systems...more

C-Band (3.7-4.2 GHz) Reminders: Registrations Due by October 17, 2018 Comments on Proposed Rules Due by October 29, 2018

Womble Bond Dickinson on 10/15/2018

C-Band Registration Filing Window Closes October 17, 2018 - Cable operators, Multichannel Video Programming Distributors (MVPDs), radio and/or video broadcasters, video programmers, and other Fixed Satellite Service (FSS)...more

FCC Takes First Of Two Actions: Could Cost Local Government Billions in Next Decade - Communities Coalition Forming Now

Best Best & Krieger LLP on 9/27/2018

The FCC today released a Second Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that, if adopted, would allow cable operators to deduct the value of in-kind contributions from cable franchise fee payments, and would limit the authority of...more

Lessons from the AT&T/Time Warner Decision

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati on 6/20/2018

On October 22, 2016, AT&T announced its $108 billion proposed acquisition of Time Warner. After a year-plus investigation, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed suit to enjoin the merger, alleging that the transaction would...more

July 2017 FCC Meeting Recap: FCC Expands Video Described Programming Requirement

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP on 7/17/2017

In advance of its July Open Meeting, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) unanimously adopted a Report and Order (Order) that revises the rules requiring certain video programming providers to make video...more

FCC Adopts Rulemaking Notice Proposing to Expand Video Description Requirements

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 4/5/2016

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing to amend its video description rules to increase the amount of required video described programming as well as the number...more

FCC’s Efforts to Expand Video Description May Spark Debate on Statutory Authority

Pillsbury - CommLawCenter on 3/31/2016

The FCC’s video description rules require covered broadcasters and MVPDs to provide audio-narration of the key visual elements of a program during pauses in the dialogue so as to make it more accessible to individuals who are...more

Proposed EAS Rules Mark a Greater Role for New Media Platforms and Increased Importance for Social Media in Delivering EAS Alerts

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 3/29/2016

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM” or “Proposed EAS Rules”) in January, proposing improvements to the Emergency Alert System (“EAS”) and Wireless Emergency Alerts...more

Update: FCC Divides Closed Captioning Compliance Responsibility, Imposes New Obligations Directly on Programmers

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 2/26/2016

UPDATE: The FCC released its Second Report and Order on February 19, 2016. The advisory below has been updated to reflect the details of the order. At its Open Meeting on February 18, 2016, the Federal Communications...more

FCC Opens Door to New Regime of Multichannel Video Programming

Best Best & Krieger LLP on 2/24/2016

FCC Will Seek Comments - The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday took two steps designed to give consumers greater access to multichannel video programming, including programming now provided via public,...more

Unlocking the Set-Top Box and Access to Video Programming—The FCC's Latest Foray into Video Competition

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati on 2/23/2016

On February 18, 2016, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched two proceedings designed to promote competition in the video marketplace—a proposed rulemaking related to devices used to access traditional TV...more

FCC Divides Closed Captioning Compliance Responsibility, Imposes New Obligations Directly on Programmers

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 2/19/2016

Yesterday, at its February Open Meeting, the Federal Communications Commission revisited its closed captioning rules to answer open questions regarding which entities in the video programming production and distribution...more

FCC Continues to Modify Accessibility Rules Governing Program Guides and Closed Captioning

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 11/30/2015

The FCC has amended its accessibility rules to add new requirements for audible on-screen program guides and activation mechanisms for closed captioning and video description. It also proposed additional rule changes that...more

FCC Releases Emergency Information Accessibility Rules for Second-Screen Devices and Grants Compliance Waivers

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 6/5/2015

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released the text of its Second Report and Order (R&O) adopting rules requiring multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) to pass through the secondary audio stream...more

Alert: FCC Expands Disability Access Requirements to Tablets, Laptops and Smartphones

Cooley LLP on 6/2/2015

Consistent with its recent actions expanding the Federal Communications Commission's ("FCC") oversight of the Internet and of privacy, the FCC has further extended its reach in another area—disability access. Expanding on its...more

FCC Adopts Emergency Information Accessibility Rules for Second-Screen Devices

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 5/27/2015

At its May 21, 2015, Open Meeting, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted new rules requiring visually displayed emergency information to be available aurally on “second screens” – such as tablets, laptops, or...more

STELAR Implementation

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 2/20/2015

On Feb. 18, 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued an Order amending its rules to implement certain provisions of the STELA Reauthorization Act of 2014 (STELAR). The FCC concluded that these...more

FCC Proposal for Internet Video Programming Could Threaten Cable Franchise Fees

Best Best & Krieger LLP on 12/31/2014

The Federal Communications Commission, in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking released this month, requested public input about whether it should classify certain Internet-based video programmers as “multichannel video...more

MVPD Annual EEO Program Reports and SIS Responses Due Sept. 30, 2014

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 7/28/2014

The FCC’s equal employment opportunity (“EEO”) rules for multi-channel video program distributors (“MVPD”) require MVPD employment units with six or more full-time employees to file an Annual EEO Program Report, FCC Form...more

MVPD Annual EEO Program Reports and SIS Responses Due Sept. 30, 2013

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 8/1/2013

The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) equal employment opportunity (EEO) rules for multi-channel video program distributors (MVPD) require MVPD employment units with six or more full-time employees to file an Annual...more

Closed Captioning Reminder: Starting March 30, 2013, Video Programming That Is or Was Aired Live or “Near Live” on TV Must Be...

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 3/1/2013

The time is drawing near for the next phase of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requirements implementing the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) for closed-captioning video programing...more

D.C. Circuit Vacates Plug and Play Order and Encoding Rules Applicable to Multichannel Video Programming Distributors

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 1/16/2013

On Jan. 15, 2013, the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit decided that the FCC lacked the statutory authority to adopt its 2003 encoding rules, which limit the output and copy restrictions that can be applied...more

The United States Federal Communications Commission › Multichannel Video Programming

"My best business intelligence, in one easy email…"