In case you were wondering the Republicans on the FCC both dissent claiming that the FCC has no jurisdiction to ban lying because people being marketed too aren’t cable subscribers yet and therefore outside of the FCC’s purview. What a load of horse-hockey. Their next argument will be that the FCC has no right to regulate cable at all because the consumer hasn’t been screwed until they give the cable company their money at which point it’s too late.
As much of a free-market-enjoyer that I am, this is what you get when you vote Republican (or stay home).
Media Contact:
Office of Media Relations
MediaRelations@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC VOTES TO REQUIRE CABLE AND SATELLITE TV PRICING
TRANSPARENCY
New ‘All-In’ Pricing Rules Will Address Consumers’ Confusion on Hidden Fees in
Cable and Satellite TV Billing
WASHINGTON, March 14, 2024—The Federal Communications Commission today adopted
new rules requiring cable and satellite TV providers to specify the “all-in” price clearly and
prominently for video programming service in their promotional materials and on subscribers’
bills. The FCC aims to eliminate the misleading practice of describing video programming costs
as a tax, fee, or surcharge.
This updated “all-in” pricing format allows consumers to make informed choices, including the
ability to comparison shop among competitors and to compare programming costs against
alternative programming providers, including streaming services. TV providers often use
deceptive junk fees to hide the real price of their services. The FCC is putting an end to this form
of price masking, increasing competition, and reducing confusion among consumers.
These new rules require cable operators and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) providers to state the
total cost of video programming service clearly and prominently, including broadcast
retransmission consent, regional sports programming, and other programming-related fees, as a
prominent single line item on subscribers’ bills and in promotional materials. The record
demonstrates that charges and fees for video programming provided by cable and DBS providers
are often obscured in misleading promotional materials and bills, which causes significant and
costly confusion for consumers.
These new rules continue a series of consumer-focused proposals to combat junk fees and support
transparency for consumers. In addition to this “all-in” pricing, the Commission is preparing to
upcoming launch of the mandatory Broadband Consumer Labels and has proposed to eliminate
early termination fees from cable and satellite TV providers.
Action by the Commission March 14, 2024 by Report and Order (FCC 24-29). Chairwoman
Rosenworcel, Commissioners Starks and Gomez approving. Commissioners Carr and Simington
dissenting. Chairwoman Rosenworcel, Commissioners Carr, Starks, and Simington issuing
separate statements.
MB Docket No. 23-203
Usually here it’s not a good thing because nothing is allowed to be good. Was the same on a lot of Reddit, too. Like, the upliftingnews subreddit comments were the worst for it.
Whatever it is It will only come down to costing companies with deep lobby pockets money and how the conservative new agencies are spinning it.
I’d like to see everything priced on the rim and out the door. Taxes, registration, fees, shipping all on the line. I’d like the price on the shelf/invoice/website/advertisement/cash register and bank statement to all match.
Umm uhhhh they’ll have to increase the total price to make up the difference in processing more numbers which will cause the employee budget to decrease hurting the local economy which means less taxes to fund fire department and your babies will burn in a fire caused by the unqualified cable tech they had to hire to offset the loss in profits.
The lobbying group for cable companies said that it would hurt their highly competitive market(I’m sure they weren’t able to type that without laughing) and it makes it harder for them to advertise one price since the cost of the sports and local bundles are regional (though they have no problems getting those prices correct on the bills.)
You are not logged in. However you can subscribe from another Fediverse account, for example Lemmy or Mastodon. To do this, paste the following into the search field of your instance: !technology@lemmy.world
This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.
Nice job, FCC, and only 20 years late!
Solving yesterday’s problems, tomorrow!
Right? Like why the fuck did it take so long? Ohhh right. Ashit Pie.
In case you were wondering the Republicans on the FCC both dissent claiming that the FCC has no jurisdiction to ban lying because people being marketed too aren’t cable subscribers yet and therefore outside of the FCC’s purview. What a load of horse-hockey. Their next argument will be that the FCC has no right to regulate cable at all because the consumer hasn’t been screwed until they give the cable company their money at which point it’s too late.
As much of a free-market-enjoyer that I am, this is what you get when you vote Republican (or stay home).
Love it
Cable is antiquated.
Whoever Joe Brandon appointed to the FCC seems to be a real one.
Noo the gubernment can’t have teeth! Won’t anyone think of the billionaires!?
the only law is gods law*
*to be picked and chosen depending on how I feel.
Media Contact: Office of Media Relations MediaRelations@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC VOTES TO REQUIRE CABLE AND SATELLITE TV PRICING TRANSPARENCY New ‘All-In’ Pricing Rules Will Address Consumers’ Confusion on Hidden Fees in Cable and Satellite TV Billing
WASHINGTON, March 14, 2024—The Federal Communications Commission today adopted new rules requiring cable and satellite TV providers to specify the “all-in” price clearly and prominently for video programming service in their promotional materials and on subscribers’ bills. The FCC aims to eliminate the misleading practice of describing video programming costs as a tax, fee, or surcharge. This updated “all-in” pricing format allows consumers to make informed choices, including the ability to comparison shop among competitors and to compare programming costs against alternative programming providers, including streaming services. TV providers often use deceptive junk fees to hide the real price of their services. The FCC is putting an end to this form of price masking, increasing competition, and reducing confusion among consumers. These new rules require cable operators and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) providers to state the total cost of video programming service clearly and prominently, including broadcast retransmission consent, regional sports programming, and other programming-related fees, as a prominent single line item on subscribers’ bills and in promotional materials. The record demonstrates that charges and fees for video programming provided by cable and DBS providers are often obscured in misleading promotional materials and bills, which causes significant and costly confusion for consumers. These new rules continue a series of consumer-focused proposals to combat junk fees and support transparency for consumers. In addition to this “all-in” pricing, the Commission is preparing to upcoming launch of the mandatory Broadband Consumer Labels and has proposed to eliminate early termination fees from cable and satellite TV providers. Action by the Commission March 14, 2024 by Report and Order (FCC 24-29). Chairwoman Rosenworcel, Commissioners Starks and Gomez approving. Commissioners Carr and Simington dissenting. Chairwoman Rosenworcel, Commissioners Carr, Starks, and Simington issuing separate statements. MB Docket No. 23-203
removed by mod
Quick! Someone tell us why this isn’t a good thing because the government did it! Surely there’s some secret corruption at work!
Usually here it’s not a good thing because nothing is allowed to be good. Was the same on a lot of Reddit, too. Like, the upliftingnews subreddit comments were the worst for it.
Whatever it is It will only come down to costing companies with deep lobby pockets money and how the conservative new agencies are spinning it.
I’d like to see everything priced on the rim and out the door. Taxes, registration, fees, shipping all on the line. I’d like the price on the shelf/invoice/website/advertisement/cash register and bank statement to all match.
Umm uhhhh they’ll have to increase the total price to make up the difference in processing more numbers which will cause the employee budget to decrease hurting the local economy which means less taxes to fund fire department and your babies will burn in a fire caused by the unqualified cable tech they had to hire to offset the loss in profits.
I just want the unqualified cable tech to not snip the cable to my antenna while he’s in my backyard.
No no no, you got all wrong. Think of the children! They are ruining the future of our children!
Only complaint I have is they waited till the shit is dying to step in and do something. But hey, still a win yo
The lobbying group for cable companies said that it would hurt their highly competitive market(I’m sure they weren’t able to type that without laughing) and it makes it harder for them to advertise one price since the cost of the sports and local bundles are regional (though they have no problems getting those prices correct on the bills.)