FCC Votes to Sunset Program Access Rules

Cable companies no longer have to share programming if they don't want to

The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously today to let expire a rule that required cable companies to make their programming available to rival pay TV providers.

Programming lineups at cable and satellite systems may never be the same. 

Smaller cable operators and the satellite companies fought vigorously to convince the FCC to renew the so-called program access rules, while the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, whose members include Comcast and Time Warner Cable—owners of popular regional sports networks—would rather see the rules sunset.

Despite the controversy, FCC chairman Julius Genachowski probably had little choice but to let the 20-year-old ban against program exclusivity die.

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