Discussion of FCC's Effective Competition Rules

Womble Carlyle attorney Mark Palchick along with American Cable Association President Matt Polka mull over the FCC’s proposal to make it substantially easier for cable companies to be found subject to effective competition and and thereby avoid rate regulations and its possible impact on cable television companies in the latest edition of Communications Daily. Palchick, who is a communications attorney and well-respected in the cable television industry, shares his thoughts on why changes to the FCC's effective competition rules could have ramifications beyond just rate regulation.

Palchick points out that a cable system that is found subject to effective competition would also have greater control over whether television broadcast stations must be carried on the Basic level of service.

“Sony, CBS, HBO and others are offering programming, including television broadcast programming, on over the top platforms. The proposed rule change will allow cable television operators to better respond to customer needs in this rapidly changing environment” Palchick said.