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 NEWS  News  media  Information  202  /  418-  0500  TTY  202  /  418-  2555  Fax-  On-  Demand  202  /  418-  2830  Internet:  http://  www.  fcc.  gov  ftp.  fcc.  gov  Federal  Communications  Commission  445  12  th  Street,  S.  W.  Washington,  D.  C.  20554  This  is  an  unofficial  announcement  of  Commission  action.  Release  of  the  full  text  of  a  Commission  order  constitutes  official  action.  See  MCI  v.  FCC.  515  F  2d  385  (D.  C.  Circ  1974).  FOR  IMMEDIATE  RELEASE:  NEWS  MEDIA  CONTACT: 
 June  10,  2004  Suzon  Cameron  (202)  418-  1916 
 FCC  ISSUES  INQUIRY  FOR  ITS  ANNUAL  REPORT  TO  CONGRESS  ON  VIDEO  COMPETITION 


 Washington,  D.  C.  –  Today,  the  Federal  Communications  Commission  (FCC)  initiated  its  eleventh  annual  inquiry,  as  required  by  Congress,  into  the  status  of  competition  in  the 
 market  for  the  delivery  of  video  programming. 
 Today’s  Notice  of  Inquiry  (“  Notice”)  solicits  information  and  comment  for  the  FCC’s  2004  Report  to  Congress  pursuant  to  Section  628(  g)  of  the  Communications  Act.  The  Notice 
 is  designed  to  assist  the  FCC  in  gathering  the  information,  data,  and  comments  for  the  2004  Competition  Report.  In  the  2004  Competition  Report,  the  FCC  expects  to  report  on  changes 
 in  the  competitive  environment  over  the  last  year.  The  NOI  seeks  information  that  will  allow  the  FCC  to  evaluate  the  status  of  competition  in  the  video  marketplace,  changes  in  the  market 
 since  the  2003  Report,  prospects  for  new  entrants  to  that  market,  factors  that  have  facilitated  or  impeded  competition,  and  the  effect  of  competition  on  industry  groups  and  most 
 importantly,  consumers.  The  2004  Competition  Report  should  be  sent  to  Congress  by  the  end  of  the  year. 


 The  Notice  seeks  comments  and  information  on  video  distributors  in  the  market  for  the  delivery  of  video  programming  including  those  using  both  wireline  and  wireless 
 technologies.  Video  programming  distributors  include  cable  systems,  direct  broadcast  satellite  ("  DBS")  providers,  home  satellite  dish  ("  HSD")  providers,  broadband  service 
 providers  (“  BSPs”),  private  cable  or  satellite  master  antenna  television  ("  PCO")  systems,  open  video  systems  ("  OVS"),  multichannel  multipoint  distribution  services  or  wireless  cable 
 systems  ("  MMDS"),  local  exchange  carrier  (“  LEC”)  systems,  utilities,  and  over-  the-  air  broadcast  television  stations.  Video  programming  is  also  distributed  on  videocassettes  and 
 DVDs  through  retail  distribution  outlets  and  over  the  Internet.  The  Notice  also  requests  information  that  will  allow  the  FCC  to  evaluate  horizontal  concentration  in  the  video 
 marketplace,  vertical  integration  between  programming  distributors  and  programming  services,  and  other  issues  relating  to  the  programming  available  to  consumers.  The  Notice 
 requests  information  on  technical  issues,  including  equipment  and  emerging  services.  The  Notice  further  asks  for  comments  regarding  developments  in  foreign  markets,  as  they  may 
 contribute  to  the  FCC’s  understanding  of  domestic  markets. 
 Action  by  the  Commission  June  10,  2004  by  Notice  of  Inquiry  (FCC  04-  136).  Chairman  Powell,  Commissioners  Abernathy,  Copps,  Martin,  and  Adelstein.  Separate 


 statements  issued  by  Commissioners  Copps  and  Adelstein. 
 MB  Docket  No.  04-  227  -FCC- 
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 Media  Bureau  contacts:  Anne  Levine  and  Marcia  Glauberman  (202)  418-  7200 
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