Audio Video News

Cable operators are complaining about package deals that junk up their systems with channels they don’t want.

The American Cable Association wrote in a statement to the FCC that the nine biggest media companies force cable ops to buy a minimum of 65 channels, thereby privileging fluff over fresh content from smaller indie companies:

“Independent programming lineups are dominated by programming unique to the channel, rather than warmed-over content once aired elsewhere. New episodes are a prominent feature of the independents’ daily lineups, whereas they are almost nonexistent on the unwanted bundled channels.” If the FCC wants to promote diversity in the cable marketplace, says the ACA, “forced bundling should be the commission’s top priority.”