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Final Note

FCC delays voting on set top boxes

Kai Ryssdal Sep 29, 2016
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Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler listens to testimony before voting on Net Neutrality at the FCC headquarters February 26, 2015 in Washington, DC. Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Final Note

FCC delays voting on set top boxes

Kai Ryssdal Sep 29, 2016
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler listens to testimony before voting on Net Neutrality at the FCC headquarters February 26, 2015 in Washington, DC. Mark Wilson/Getty Images
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American cable television watchers have to wait a bit longer to unload the burden of their set top boxes.

The Federal Communications Commission was supposed to vote today on a proposal allowing cable subscribers to access TV through a free app, much like other media content. Minutes before the meeting, however, they removed the vote from the agenda. 

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler hasn’t been able to get consensus on a proposal that would oblige cable operators to provide content through a device other than the set top box. 

The delay comes as good news to the set top box business, which brings in more than $20 billion a year in rental fees, according to the Wall Street Journal. The average cost to consumers is $231 a year.

 

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