Look ma, no regulation!

Comcast is already pointing to its new apps and partner program as evidence that the FCC’s plan isn’t necessary. “The FCC’s proposed set-top box mandate threatens to undermine this highly-dynamic marketplace, create substantial costs and consumer harms, and will take years to develop—only to be likely outdated by the time it reaches the marketplace—all in an effort to achieve what apps are already delivering for consumers,” Comcast senior vice president Mark Hess wrote on the company’s website. The FCC, however, issued its own statement suggesting that Comcast hasn’t gone far enough: “While we do not know all of the details of this announcement, it appears to offer only a proprietary, Comcast-controlled user interface and seems to allow only Comcast content on different devices, rather than allowing those devices to integrate or search across Comcast content as well as other content consumers subscribe to.” The key point of contention here is how customers will actually get to Comcast content. Under the FCC’s proposal, device makers can integrate TV channels and shows in any way they please. You might, for instance, be able to access your favorite shows directly from the home screen on an Android TV box, or rearrange the order of the channel guide.