Consumer Complaints, not Retrans Reform, Important Issue, NAB Says
Consumer complaints are proof the retransmission consent negotiation regime works fine and rebut the litany of complaints by multichannel video programming distributors seeking retrans overhaul, NAB said in an FCC filing Tuesday in docket 15-216. Most retrans negotiations are completed…
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successfully and the aggregate effect on the public for those that aren't is trivial, NAB said, saying the FCC sees few retrans-related consumer complaints vs. complaints on how they're treated by MVPDs and on pay-TV charges. NAB said the Media Bureau should focus on possible effects of some of the MVPD-proposed retrans consent changes (see 1512010052 and 1512020029); for example, a limit on broadcasters' ability to negotiate for carriage of additional channels would also limit its ability to meet an MVPD request for a lower price point in favor of additional capacity. "Restraining the parties by arbitrarily removing terms from the negotiating table will only restrict the options they have to reach mutually acceptable agreements," NAB said.