FCC may ban cable deals for exclusivity

0 Comments | USA TODAY, September, 2007 | by Paul Davidson

Federal regulators appear set to crack down on cable companies that sign exclusive deals with apartment and condominium buildings, denying residents the fruits of emerging pay-TV competition.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin is recommending prohibiting such future agreements and preventing enforcement of exclusivity clauses in existing contracts, three FCC officials say. They requested anonymity because the agency's five commissioners have not yet voted on the proposal.

While the details could change before the vote, most commissioners have backed opening the multifamily housing market to more video competition. Martin believes apartment dwellers deserve the same benefits of new cable choices as those in houses, officials say.

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