It’s official, almost. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski circulated an order Thurs asking the Commission to approve Verizon Wireless’ proposed spectrum deal with Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox and Bright House Networks after the companies agreed to several pro-competitive commitments and reached a consent decree with the Justice Dept. Read more in today’s issue.

Also in the August 17 issue of CableFAX Daily:

With Cablevision’s multi-year deal to carry NFL Net and NFL RedZone, the pressure ratchets up on lone top 10 MVPD holdouts Time Warner Cable and Bright House to sign a deal.

The WSJ broke the news late Wed that Apple is talking to US MSOs about letting consumers use an Apple device as a set-top box for live TV and other content.

AMC ordered 2 original series for 1Q, ’13, artwork competition “Untitled Taxidermy Series” and family drama “Venice Beach Freakshow,” both working titles. Read more in this issue’s programming section.