FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFF I CE O F T HE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Bill Nelson Ranking Member November 9, 2017 Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation United States Senate 425 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Nelson: On September 29, 2017, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) publicly released a report entitled FCC Should Conduct Additional Analysis to Evaluate Need for Set-Top Box Regulation, GAO 17-785 (Report). 1 GAO examined the Commission's efforts to ensure commercial availability of devices to access programming provided by multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs). The Report recommends that the Commission, as part of its statutorily required annual reports to Congress on the status of competition in the market for the delivery of video programming, conduct a comprehensive analysis of "how the ongoing evolution in the video programming market affects competition in the related market for set-top boxes and devices, including how this evolution affects the extent to which consumer choice for devices to access MVPD content remains a relevant aspect of the competitive environment." In a September 21, 2017 response to the draft report, the Chief of the Commission's Media Bureau agreed with GAO's recommendation.2 As indicated in that response, the Commission will utilize the annual video competition report proceedings to gather data and solicit comment on issues relevant to whether there is a need for further regulations to ensure the commercial availability of devices to access MVPD programming. We will include an analysis of these data and comments in our future annual video competition reports. I appreciate GAO 's analysis and recommendation, and I reiterate the Commission's commitment to implementing measures to address GAO's findings. sv~ly,~~ Ajit V. Pai cc: The Honorable Yvette D. Clarke 1 GAO, FCC Should Conduct Additional Analysis to Evaluate Need for Set-Top Box Regulation, GAO 17-785, available at https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO- I 7-785 . 2 Id. at 26. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHIN G TON OFF IC E OF TH E C H AI RM A N The Honorable Chris Coons Ranking Member November 9, 2017 Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government Committee on Appropriations United States Senate 125 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Coons: On September 29, 2017, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) publicly released a report entitled FCC Should Conduct Additional Analysis to Evaluate Need for Set-Top Box Regulation, GAO 17-785 (Report). 1 GAO examined the Commission's efforts to ensure commercial availability of devices to access programming provided by multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs). The Report recommends that the Commission, as part of its statutorily required annual reports to Congress on the status of competition in the market for the delivery of video programming, conduct a comprehensive analysis of "how the ongoing evolution in the video programming market affects competition in the related market for set-top boxes and devices, including how this evolution affects the extent to which consumer choice for devices to access MVPD content remains a relevant aspect of the competitive environment." In a September 21, 2017 response to the draft report, the Chief of the Commission's Media Bureau agreed with GAO's recommendation.2 As indicated in that response, the Commission will utilize the annual video competition report proceedings to gather data and solicit comment on issues relevant to whether there is a need for further regulations to ensure the commercial availability of devices to access MVPD programming. We will include an analysis of these data and comments in our future annual video competition reports. I appreciate GAO ' s analysis and recommendation, and I reiterate the Commission' s commitment to implementing measures to address GAO's findings . cc: The Honorable Yvette D. Clarke 1 GAO, FCC Should Conduct Additional Analysis to Evaluate Need for Set-Top Box Regulation, GAO 17-785, available at https://www.gao.gov/products/GA0-17-785. 2 Id. at 26. FEDERAL COM M UNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE O F THE CH A IRM A N The Honorable Claire McCaskill Ranking Member November 9, 2017 Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs United States Senate 422 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator McCaskill: On September 29, 2017, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) publicly released a report entitled FCC Should Conduct Additional Analysis to Evaluate Need for Set-Top Box Regulation, GAO 17-785 (Report). 1 GAO examined the Commission's efforts to ensure commercial availability of devices to access programming provided by multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs). The Report recommends that the Commission, as part of its statutorily required annual reports to Congress on the status of competition in the market for the delivery of video programming, conduct a comprehensive analysis of "how the ongoing evolution in the video programming market affects competition in the related market for set-top boxes and devices, including how this evolution affects the extent to which consumer choice for devices to access MVPD content remains a relevant aspect of the competitive environment." In a September 21 , 2017 response to the draft report, the Chief of the Commission's Media Bureau agreed with GAO's recommendation.2 As indicated in that response, the Commission will utilize the annual video competition report proceedings to gather data and solicit comment on issues relevant to whether there is a need for further regulations to ensure the commercial availability of devices to access MVPD programming. We will include an analysis of these data and comments in our future annual video competition reports. I appreciate GAO's analysis and recommendation, and I reiterate the Commission's commitment to implementing measures to address GAO's findings. Sincerely, Ajit V. Pai cc: The Honorable Yvette D. Clarke 1 GAO, FCC Should Conduct Additional Analysis to Evaluate Need for Set-Top Box Regulation, GAO 17-785, available at https: //www.gao.gov/products/GAO-l 7-785 . 2 Id. at 26. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHA I RMAN The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings Ranking Member November 9, 2017 Committee on Oversight and Government Reform U.S. House of Representatives 24 71 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Cummings: On September 29, 2017, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) publicly released a report entitled FCC Should Conduct Additional Analysis to Evaluate Need for Set-Top Box Regulation, GAO 17-785 (Report). 1 GAO examined the Commission' s efforts to ensure commercial availability of devices to access programming provided by multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs). The Report recommends that the Commission, as part of its statutorily required annual reports to Congress on the status of competition in the market for the delivery of video programming, conduct a comprehensive analysis of"how the ongoing evolution in the video programming market affects competition in the related market for set-top boxes and devices, including how this evolution affects the extent to which consumer choice for devices to access MVPD content remains a relevant aspect of the competitive environment." In a September 21, 20J 7 response to the draft report, the Chief of the Commission's Media Bureau agreed with GAO's recommendation.2 As indicated in that response, the Commission will utilize the annual video competition report proceedings to gather data and solicit comment on issues relevant to whether there is a need for further regulations to ensure the commercial availability of devices to access MVPD programming. We will include an analysis of these data and comments in our future annual video competition reports. I appreciate GAO's analysis and recommendation, and I reiterate the Commission's commitment to implementing measures to address GAO's findings. Sincerely, n ~ V· I~ Ajit V. Pai cc: The Honorable Yvette D. Clarke 1 GAO, FCC Should Conduct Additional Analysis to Evaluate Need for Set-Top Box Regulation, GAO 17-785 , available at https: //www.gao.gov/products/GA0-17-785. 2 Id. at 26. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON O F FIC E O F TH E C H AIRMAN The Honorable Frank Pallone Ranking Member Committee on Energy and Commerce U. S. House of Representatives 2322A Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Pallone: November 9, 2017 On September 29, 2017, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) publicly released a report entitled FCC Should Conduct Additional Analysis to Evaluate Need for Set-Top Box Regulation, GAO 17-785 (Report). 1 GAO examined the Commission's efforts to ensure commercial availability of devices to access programming provided by multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs). The Report recommends that the Commission, as part of its statutorily required annual reports to Congress on the status of competition in the market for the delivery of video programming, conduct a comprehensive analysis of "how the ongoing evolution in the video programming market affects competition in the related market for set-top boxes and devices, including how this evolution affects the extent to which consumer choice for devices to access MVPD content remains a relevant aspect of the competitive environment." In a September 21 , 2017 response to the draft report, the Chief of the Commission's Media Bureau agreed with GAO's recommendation.2 As indicated in that response, the Commission will utilize the annual video competition report proceedings to gather data and solicit comment on issues relevant to whether there is a need for further regulations to ensure the commercial availability of devices to access MVPD programming. We will include an analysis of these data and comments in our future annual video competition reports. I appreciate GAO's analysis and recommendation, and I reiterate the Commission's commitment to implementing measures to address GAO's findings. Sincerely, vt v. Ajit V. Pai cc: The Honorable Yvette D. Clarke 1 GAO, FCC Should Conduct Additional Analysis to Evaluate Need for Set-Top Box Regulation, GAO 17-785, available at https: //www.gao.gov/products/GAO-l 7-785. 2 Id. at 26. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Greg Walden Chairman Committee on Energy and Commerce U.S. House of Representatives 2125 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Chairman Walden: November 9, 2017 On September 29, 2017, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) publicly released a report entitled FCC Should Conduct Additional Analysis to Evaluate Need for Set-Top Box Regulation, GAO 17-785 (Report). 1 GAO examined the Commission's efforts to ensure commercial availability of devices to access programming provided by multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs). The Report recommends that the Commission, as part of its statutorily required annual reports to Congress on the status of competition in the market for the delivery of video programming, conduct a comprehensive analysis of "how the ongoing evolution in the video programming market affects competition in the related market for set-top boxes and devices, including how this evolution affects the extent to which consumer choice for devices to access MVPD content remains a relevant aspect of the competitive environment." In a September 21, 2017 response to the draft report, the Chief of the Commission's Media Bureau agreed with GAO's recommendation.2 As indicated in that response, the Commission will utilize the annual video competition report proceedings to gather data and solicit comment on issues relevant to whether there is a need for further regulations to ensure the commercial availability of devices to access MVPD programming. We will include an analysis of these data and comments in our future annual video competition reports. I appreciate GAO's analysis and recommendation, and I reiterate the Commission's commitment to implementing measures to address GAO's findings. cc: The Honorable Yvette D. Clarke 1 GAO, FCC Should Conduct Additional Analysis to Evaluate Need for Set-Top Box Regulation , GAO 17-785, available at https: //www.gao.gov/products/GAO-l 7-785 . 2 Id. at 26. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHA I RMAN The Honorable John Thune Chairman November 9, 2017 Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation United States Senate 512 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Chairman Thune: On September 29, 2017, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) publicly released a report entitled FCC Should Conduct Additional Analysis to Evaluate Need for Set-Top Box Regulation, GAO 17-785 (Report). 1 GAO examined the Commission' s efforts to ensure commercial availability of devices to access programming provided by multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs). The Report recommends that the Commission, as part of its statutorily required annual reports to Congress on the status of competition in the market for the delivery of video programming, conduct a comprehensive analysis of "how the ongoing evolution in the video programming market affects competition in the related market for set-top boxes and devices, including how this evolution affects the extent to which consumer choice for devices to access MVPD content remains a relevant aspect of the competitive environment." In a September 21 , 2017 response to the draft report, the Chief of the Commission' s Media Bureau agreed with GAO' s recommendation.2 As indicated in that response, the Commission will utilize the annual video competition report proceedings to gather data and solicit comment on issues relevant to whether there is a need for further regulations to ensure the commercial availability of devices to access MVPD programming. We will include an analysis of these data and comments in our future annual video competition reports. I appreciate GAO's analysis and recommendation, and I reiterate the Commission' s commitment to implementing measures to address GAO' s findings. Sincerely, ~ v. Ajit V. Pai cc: The Honorable Yvette D. Clarke 1 GAO, FCC Should Conduct Additional Analysis to Evaluate Need for Set-Top Box Regulation, GAO 17-785, available at https: //www.gao.gov/products/GAO-i 7-785 . 2 Id. at 26. FEDERAL COMMUNICAT IONS COMM ISSION WASHINGTON OFF IC E O F THE C H A IR MAN The Honorable Mike Quigley Ranking Member November 9, 2017 Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government Committee on Appropriations U.S. House of Representatives 1016 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Quigley: On September 29, 2017, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) publicly released a report entitled FCC Should Conduct Additional Analysis to Evaluate Need for Set-Top Box Regulation, GAO 17-785 (Report). 1 GAO examined the Commission's efforts to ensure commercial availability of devices to access programming provided by multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs). The Report recommends that the Commission, as part of its statutorily required annual reports to Congress on the status of competition in the market for the delivery of video programming, conduct a comprehensive analysis of "how the ongoing evolution in the video programming market affects competition in the related market for set-top boxes and devices, including how this evolution affects the extent to which consumer choice for devices to access MVPD content remains a relevant aspect of the competitive environment." In a September 21 , 2017 response to the draft rep01i, the Chief of the Commission's Media Bureau agreed with GAO's recommendation.2 As indicated in that response, the Commission will utilize the annual video competition report proceedings to gather data and solicit comment on issues relevant to whether there is a need for further regulations to ensure the commercial availability of devices to access MVPD programming. We will include an analysis of these data and comments in our future annual video competition reports. I appreciate GAO's analysis and recommendation, and I reiterate the Commission' s commitment to implementing measures to address GAO's findings . Sincerely, V· Ajit V. Pai cc: The Honorable Yvette D. Clarke 1 GAO, FCC Should Conduct Additional Analysis to Evaluate Need for Set-Top Box Regulation, GAO 17-785, available at https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-l 7-785. 2 Id. at 26. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASH INGTON OFF IC E O F THE C H A IRM AN The Honorable Ron Johnson Chairman November 9, 2017 Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs United States Senate 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Chairman Johnson: On September 29, 2017, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) publicly released a report entitled FCC Should Conduct Additional Analysis to Evaluate Need for Set-Top Box Regulation, GAO 17-785 (Report). 1 GAO examined the Commission's efforts to ensure commercial availability of devices to access programming provided by multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs). The Report recommends that the Commission, as part of its statutorily required annual reports to Congress on the status of competition in the market for the delivery of video programming, conduct a comprehensive analysis of "how the ongoing evolution in the video programming market affects competition in the related market for set-top boxes and devices, including how this evolution affects the extent to which consumer choice for devices to access MVPD content remains a relevant aspect of the competitive environment." In a September 21, 2017 response to the draft report, the Chief of the Commission's Media Bureau agreed with GAO' s recommendation.2 As indicated in that response, the Commission will utilize the annual video competition report proceedings to gather data and solicit comment on issues relevant to whether there is a need for further regulations to ensure the commercial availability of devices to access MVPD programming. We will include an analysis of these data and comments in our future annual video competition reports. I appreciate GAO's analysis and recommendation, and I reiterate the Commission's commitment to implementing measures to address GAO's findings. Ajit V. Pai cc: The Honorable Yvette D. Clarke 1 GAO, FCC Should Conduct Additional Analysis to Evaluate Need for Set-Top Box Regulation, GAO 17-785, available at https: //www.gao.gov/products/GA0-17-785. 2 Id. at 26. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON O FF ICE OF TH E C H AIRMAN The Honorable Shelley Moore Capito Chairwoman November 9, 2017 Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government Committee on Appropriations United States Senate 125 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Chairwoman Capito: On September 29, 2017, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) publicly released a report entitled FCC Should Conduct Additional Analysis to Evaluate Need for Set-Top Box Regulation, GAO 17-785 (Report). 1 GAO examined the Commission's efforts to ensure commercial availability of devices to access programming provided by multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs). The Report recommends that the Commission, as part of its statutorily required annual reports to Congress on the status of competition in the market for the delivery of video programming, conduct a comprehensive analysis of "how the ongoing evolution in the video programming market affects competition in the related market for set-top boxes and devices, including how this evolution affects the extent to which consumer choice for devices to access MVPD content remains a relevant aspect of the competitive environment." In a September 21, 2017 response to the draft report, the Chief of the Commission's Media Bureau agreed with GAO's recommendation.2 As indicated in that response, the Commission will utilize the annual video competition report proceedings to gather data and solicit comment on issues relevant to whether there is a need for further regulations to ensure the commercial availability of devices to access MVPD programming. We will include an analysis of these data and comments in our future annual video competition reports. I appreciate GAO's analysis and recommendation, and I reiterate the Commission's commitment to implementing measures to address GAO's findings . Sincerely, ~ v. Ajit V. Pai cc: The Honorable Yvette D. Clarke 1 GAO, FCC Should Conduct Additional Analysis to Evaluate Need for Set-Top Box Regulation, GAO 17-785, available at https://www.gao.gov/products/GA0-17-785. 2 Id. at 26. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Torn Graves Chairman November 9, 2017 Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government Committee on Appropriations U.S. House of Representatives B-300 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Chairman Graves : On September 29, 2017, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) publicly released a report entitled FCC Should Conduct Additional Analysis to Evaluate Need for Set-Top Box Regulation, GAO 17-785 (Report).1 GAO examined the Commission's efforts to ensure commercial availability of devices to access programming provided by multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs). The Report recommends that the Commission, as part of its statutorily required annual reports to Congress on the status of competition in the market for the delivery of video programming, conduct a comprehensive analysis of "how the ongoing evolution in the video programming market affects competition in the related market for set-top boxes and devices, including how this evolution affects the extent to which consumer choice for devices to access MVPD content remains a relevant aspect of the competitive environment." In a September 21 , 2017 response to the draft report, the Chief of the Commission's Media Bureau agreed with GAO's recornrnendation.2 As indicated in that response, the Commission will utilize the annual video competition report proceedings to gather data and solicit comment on issues relevant to whether there is a need for further regulations to ensure the commercial availability of devices to access MVPD programming. We will include an analysis of these data and comments in our future annual video competition reports. I appreciate GAO's analysis and recommendation, and I reiterate the Commission' s commitment to implementing measures to address GAO's findings . Sincerely, ~ v. Ajit V. Pai cc: The Honorable Yvette D. Clarke 1 GAO, FCC Should Conduct Additional Analysis to Evaluate Need for Set-Top Box Regulation, GAO 17-785, available at https: //www.gao.gov/products/GA0-1 7-785 . 2 Id. at 26. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFF ICE OF THE CHA I RM A N November 9, 2017 The Honorable Trey Gowdy Chairman Committee on Oversight and Government Reform U.S. House of Representatives 2157 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Chairman Gowdy: On September 29, 2017, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) publicly released a report entitled FCC Should Conduct Additional Analysis to Evaluate Need for Set-Top Box Regulation, GAO 17-785 (Report). 1 GAO examined the Commission' s efforts to ensure commercial availability of devices to access programming provided by multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs). The Rep01i recommends that the Commission, as part of its statutorily required annual reports to Congress on the status of competition in the market for the delivery of video programming, conduct a comprehensive analysis of "how the ongoing evolution in the video programming market affects competition in the related market for set-top boxes and devices, including how this evolution affects the extent to which consumer choice for devices to access MVPD content remains a relevant aspect of the competitive environment." In a September 21 , 2017 response to the draft report, the Chief of the Commission' s Media Bureau agreed with GAO 's recommendation.2 As indicated in that response, the Commission will utilize the annual video competition report proceedings to gather data and solicit comment on issues relevant to whether there is a need for further regulations to ensure the commercial availability of devices to access MVPD programming. We will include an analysis of these data and comments in our future annual video competition reports. I appreciate GAO' s analysis and recommendation, and I reiterate the Commission' s commitment to implementing measures to address GAO' s findings. Sincerely, ~ v, Ajit V. Pai cc: The Honorable Yvette D. Clarke 1 GAO, FCC Should Conduct Additional Analysis to Evaluate Need for Set-Top Box Regulation, GAO 17-785, available at https://www.gao.gov/products/GA0-17-785 . 2 Id. at 26.