Cable A la Carte ?

[bogi]

Check this Link (http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/nov2002/tc2002116_0167.htm) out


"The rule, a provision of the 1992 Cable Act, says cable operators can no longer require subscribers to buy multitier packages of programming to get pay-per-view events and premium channels, such as as HBO, Starz, and Showtime. "

Dose this affect Satellite too ?

[BrettR]

Its based on the 1992 Cable Act. Satellite does not apply.

There are plenty of differences in laws that govern satellite and cable. FCC made this clear when confirming that Comcast doesnt have to sell DirecTV Comcast SportsNet Philly, but Comcast does have to sell competitor RCN since RCN is land based. Cable is regulated atleast the lowest level is, cable is also subject to different mustcarry rules for broadcast stations.

[Ronmort]

A question on Comcast: Since DTV and Dish have the capability of placing local land based channels on satellite, why can't they go back to the FCC and agree to pay for the technology and equipment to uplink Comcast Sports Net to satellite? What excuse could Comcast use to refuse them?

[Ryan]

The 'excuse' is they don't have to, and they don't want to. Comcast doesn't want to sell it's sportsnet to satellite as a business reason, and the law agrees with them.

Bad law....bad bad law.