NCTA says TiVo, Intel and Microsoft’s claim about CableCARDs is a load of bull. The trio claims the only way to reduce the retail price of CableCARD products is to require cable ops to rely on the cards. "What will impact the market is CE manufacturers reducing the prices of their HDTVs to something the average American can afford, not the price of the CableCARD," NCTA wrote to the FCC last week. Cable and the CE industry are at loggerheads over an FCC rule requiring operators to deploy CableCARD-enabled set-tops after July 1, ’06. Cable wants the Commission to oust the ban, or at least postpone it to Jan 1, ’08. CEA wants it to take effect as planned. In the letter, NCTA also argued "saddling cable with needless costs" required for CableCARD-enabled boxes would benefit TiVo and Microsoft as they are exploring distribution paradigms that compete directly with traditional cable.

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Thursday–March 20

Simington Says: News Distortion Raises Issues, Broadcasters Need Reform

Broadcasters appear to have a sympathetic ear in FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington when it comes to media ownership reform, which he touched on as a priority during an appearance at a Media Institute Lunch in D.C. on Thursday.

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Cablefax 100 Awards CFX100 2025 List to be published 4/16/25
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2025 Faxies Awards Faxies Nominations Open! Final deadline: 3/14/25
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