FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler “didn’t answer the question about whether he would delay rendering a decision until after the GAO impact study is out” regarding his set-top box proposal, said Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., in an interview Thursday about a private meeting between Wheeler and the House Democratic caucus the day before. “I didn’t hear him make a response to that. … he spoke about some interests that he felt were in favor of his proposal, and that was basically it.” The issue was known to have come up in the exchange between Wheeler and House Democrats, among many other topics (see 1604270063). Clarke has joined with Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., to call for a GAO impact study of the set-top proposal. She has led several members outlining concerns, including more than 50 Democrats requesting a pause in the FCC proceeding. “He didn’t address the concerns at all,” Clarke said of the meeting with Wheeler. “He came with his perspective, presented it and that was basically it. … I intend to go about educating my colleagues as much as possible so they can make an informed decision as we continue to press for them to delay and have the GAO do a study of the impact and hopefully we’ll get a louder chorus of members who will be interested in doing a study.” She said the issue is “to be continued” and with “more conversation” inevitable. The Wheeler meeting with House Democrats was an “opening salvo,” she said. “Certainly, he tried to make it seem as though his perspective is a global perspective with respect to the set-top box issue,” Clarke said. “And I think there’s just a lot more to uncover here than he presented. I’m sure there’ll be subsequent presentations to members because it’s a very complex issue. And I think that people are concerned that they’re not drawn in the middle of sort of a clash of the titans but have a far more in-depth understanding of what the implications are for future communications, if you will.”
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler “didn’t answer the question about whether he would delay rendering a decision until after the GAO impact study is out” regarding his set-top box proposal, said Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., in an interview Thursday about a private meeting between Wheeler and the House Democratic caucus the day before. “I didn’t hear him make a response to that. … he spoke about some interests that he felt were in favor of his proposal, and that was basically it.” The issue was known to have come up in the exchange between Wheeler and House Democrats, among many other topics (see 1604270063). Clarke has joined with Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., to call for a GAO impact study of the set-top proposal. She has led several members outlining concerns, including more than 50 Democrats requesting a pause in the FCC proceeding. “He didn’t address the concerns at all,” Clarke said of the meeting with Wheeler. “He came with his perspective, presented it and that was basically it. … I intend to go about educating my colleagues as much as possible so they can make an informed decision as we continue to press for them to delay and have the GAO do a study of the impact and hopefully we’ll get a louder chorus of members who will be interested in doing a study.” She said the issue is “to be continued” and with “more conversation” inevitable. The Wheeler meeting with House Democrats was an “opening salvo,” she said. “Certainly, he tried to make it seem as though his perspective is a global perspective with respect to the set-top box issue,” Clarke said. “And I think there’s just a lot more to uncover here than he presented. I’m sure there’ll be subsequent presentations to members because it’s a very complex issue. And I think that people are concerned that they’re not drawn in the middle of sort of a clash of the titans but have a far more in-depth understanding of what the implications are for future communications, if you will.”
Charter Communications hopes to close on Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks "within a few days" of the California Public Utilities Commission's expected May 12 vote, if the CPUC approves it and the FCC has given approval by then, CEO Tom Rutledge said during the company's Q1 earnings call. TWC CEO Rob Marcus, in a separate earnings call also on Thursday, said the company is "optimistic the transaction will close sometime next month."
Charter Communications hopes to close on Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks "within a few days" of the California Public Utilities Commission's expected May 12 vote, if the CPUC approves it and the FCC has given approval by then, CEO Tom Rutledge said during the company's Q1 earnings call. TWC CEO Rob Marcus, in a separate earnings call also on Thursday, said the company is "optimistic the transaction will close sometime next month."
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler privately addressed his much-debated set-top box proposal Wednesday in a meeting with the House Democratic caucus, House Communications Subcommittee ranking member Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., said in an interview. She had invited Wheeler last year, she said. Invitations for the caucus meeting had circulated earlier this week (see 1604250055).
Tom Wheeler hasn't reached the point in his FCC chairmanship where he will be unable to launch new major rulemakings, but if he wants to wrap them up before the Nov. 8 election he will need to start them soon, officials said. Last week, Wheeler started what's expected to be his final nine months as chairman. The FCC didn't comment.
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler privately addressed his much-debated set-top box proposal Wednesday in a meeting with the House Democratic caucus, House Communications Subcommittee ranking member Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., said in an interview. She had invited Wheeler last year, she said. Invitations for the caucus meeting had circulated earlier this week (see 1604250055).
Tom Wheeler hasn't reached the point in his FCC chairmanship where he will be unable to launch new major rulemakings, but if he wants to wrap them up before the Nov. 8 election he will need to start them soon, officials said. Last week, Wheeler started what's expected to be his final nine months as chairman. The FCC didn't comment.
While Stream TV -- Dish Network's foray into over-the-top video service -- was first in the pay-TV universe to look at market segmentation as a business model, Dish's interests longer term lie in being "a connectivity company ... through satellite or wireless," CEO Charlie Ergen said Wednesday during the company's Q1 earnings call. Executives were largely mum about the company's spectrum strategy, citing the quiet period of the upcoming incentive auction, including whether it plans to take part in the auction. But, Ergen said, "We think we're positioned to participate in all kinds of connectivity -- cars are just one of them." He said the company sees connectivity revenue opportunities in IoT.
While Stream TV -- Dish Network's foray into over-the-top video service -- was first in the pay-TV universe to look at market segmentation as a business model, Dish's interests longer term lie in being "a connectivity company ... through satellite or wireless," CEO Charlie Ergen said Wednesday during the company's Q1 earnings call. Executives were largely mum about the company's spectrum strategy, citing the quiet period of the upcoming incentive auction, including whether it plans to take part in the auction. But, Ergen said, "We think we're positioned to participate in all kinds of connectivity -- cars are just one of them." He said the company sees connectivity revenue opportunities in IoT.