Public advocates and antitrust watchdog groups will send letters to the FTC today requesting that the government look into so-called "TV Everywhere" plans. "The public interest groups allege collusion
between video service providers such as Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox, Verizon and Direct TV to keep video content behind a subscription-based pay wall," writes the
Washington Post.
Representatives for MSOs say that the companies are exploring their options, not seeking to wall off content.
"The old media giants are working together to kill off innovative online
competitors and carve up the market for themselves," Marvin Ammori, a law professor at the University of Nebraska and senior adviser to Free Press, one of the groups asking for the probe, told the
Post.
Read the whole story at Washington Post »
Ummm, if they own the rights to re-broadcast or re-transmit this content legally then how is this an issue? Big companies pay the big licensing rights to do what they will with content - nobody is forcing you to buy cable or satellite TV. Ok, broadcast only sucks - but purchasing these viewing choices is an option, not a requirement. There is no line in the bill of rights that promises you free engaging, quality content. You can always watch free cat barf videos on YouTube or Dancing with Fat People on the networks.