Audio Video News

In a blow to pay-TV subscribers, the Federal Communications Commission has postponed a vote on its effort to create a new cable-ready standard. The vote would have followed a two-year process in which every possible angle was considered. An app-based solution had the conditional support of the cable industry.

But 20 minutes before the vote was to have taken place, Democratic commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel withdrew her support, objecting to the terms of agreements that would require the cable industry to create apps for third-party manufacturers. Said Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA): “Today’s vote delay is an unequivocal loss for the tens of millions of Americans across the country who are forced to spend their hard-earned money on overpriced set-top box leases.” The average cable subscriber spends $231 per year to rent the box.