NEWS 
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). 
 
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  News Media contact:  Joshua Cinelli (202) 418-2000 
October 20, 2010 Joshua.Cinelli@fcc.gov 
 
STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MICHAEL J. COPPS ON THE  
CONTINUING FOX-CABLEVISION IMPASSE 
 
 “Retransmission consent developed in another world in a vastly different media 
environment.  The idea was to ensure that consumers could receive broadcast programs on cable 
and to protect both small broadcasters and small cable companies from being run over by the big 
guys.  Now, in too many instances, retransmission consent has degenerated into a fight between 
huge monied interests to see who can milk who the most—and consumers are left holding an 
empty pail.  What we are dealing with here is a fast-changing media landscape with the big 
players maneuvering to see how they can create new business models that will give them the 
upper hand over their rivals going forward. 
  
“The FCC’s role has been limited.  That’s partly due to the statute under which we 
operate, which generally confines our role to encouraging ‘good faith’ negotiations between the 
private parties.  We have interpreted this charge very cautiously.  But the FCC is a consumer 
protection agency and, if the Fox-Cablevision dispute proves anything, it is that consumers are 
clearly not being protected.  I believe the Commission should take a very serious look at whether 
‘good faith’ negotiations are indeed occurring.  What, indeed, does ‘good faith’ mean in the dog-
eat-dog world of big media?  If such talks are not taking place, we should move promptly to 
protect consumers. 
  
“We must also understand that these seemingly ‘old media’ debates can be used against 
the new media of the digital age, too.  For a broadcaster to pull programming from the Internet 
for a cable company’s subscribers, as apparently happened here, directly threatens the open 
Internet.  This was yet another instance revealing how vulnerable the Internet is to discrimination 
and gate-keeper control absent clear rules of the road.”   
 
 
- FCC -