Senate appropriators plan to unveil and mark up FY 2017 FCC and FTC funding this week. The Senate Appropriations Financial Services Subcommittee will mark up its FY 2017 legislation 10 a.m. Wednesday in 138 Dirksen, and on Thursday the full Appropriations Committee will mark up the bill at 10:30 a.m. in 106 Dirksen. Financial Services Subcommittee Chairman John Boozman, R-Ark., told us he’s likely to include language on preserving broadcaster joint sales agreements despite a media ownership court ruling removing FCC limits on them (see 1605260056) and is weighing whether to include riders mandating a set-top box proceeding pause (see 1606020070) and a ban on broadband rate regulation (see 1604070063). He predicted the bill may not see Senate floor time until July (see 1605190050). The House Appropriations Committee included riders on all those issues and cleared its FY 2017 Financial Services bill last week in a divided partisan vote (see 1606090057).
Senate appropriators plan to unveil and mark up FY 2017 FCC and FTC funding this week. The Senate Appropriations Financial Services Subcommittee will mark up its FY 2017 legislation 10 a.m. Wednesday in 138 Dirksen, and on Thursday the full Appropriations Committee will mark up the bill at 10:30 a.m. in 106 Dirksen. Financial Services Subcommittee Chairman John Boozman, R-Ark., told us he’s likely to include language on preserving broadcaster joint sales agreements despite a media ownership court ruling removing FCC limits on them (see 1605260056) and is weighing whether to include riders mandating a set-top box proceeding pause (see 1606020070) and a ban on broadband rate regulation (see 1604070063). He predicted the bill may not see Senate floor time until July (see 1605190050). The House Appropriations Committee included riders on all those issues and cleared its FY 2017 Financial Services bill last week in a divided partisan vote (see 1606090057).
Vizio began shipping its latest SmartCast line of soundbars with Google Cast. The nine-model lineup ranges from $179 for the leader 38-inch model to $499 for 44- and 45-inch 5.1-channel surround-sound units with subwoofers. Users can stream millions of songs from the Google Cast-enabled audio app to the soundbar over Wi-Fi, said the company. With Vizio’s app, consumers can search and discover content across apps and control play, pause and volume functions, said the company.
Vizio began shipping its latest SmartCast line of soundbars with Google Cast. The nine-model lineup ranges from $179 for the leader 38-inch model to $499 for 44- and 45-inch 5.1-channel surround-sound units with subwoofers. Users can stream millions of songs from the Google Cast-enabled audio app to the soundbar over Wi-Fi, said the company. With Vizio’s app, consumers can search and discover content across apps and control play, pause and volume functions, said the company.
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler laid out another defense for his set-top box rulemaking before lawmakers, this time in response to critics. The letter’s Friday release follows a Thursday news conference of Capitol Hill Democratic defenders (see 1606090066). Some saw it as inappropriately attacking NPRM critic Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., who has led Democrats in opposition.
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler laid out another defense for his set-top box rulemaking before lawmakers, this time in response to critics. The letter’s Friday release follows a Thursday news conference of Capitol Hill Democratic defenders (see 1606090066). Some saw it as inappropriately attacking NPRM critic Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., who has led Democrats in opposition.
The House FY 2017 FCC funding bill retained its policy riders curbing the agency’s net neutrality order, mandating a pause to the set-top proceeding and mandating FCC process overhaul Thursday as it advanced to the floor. Appropriations Committee Republicans shot down Democrats' attempts to modify the Financial Services bill during the long full committee markup, approving the bill 30-17.
A group of Capitol Hill Democrats defended the FCC set-top box rulemaking Thursday during a news conference featuring multiple officials affiliated with the Consumer Video Choice Coalition. Opponents of the NPRM, including the Future of TV Coalition, have been outspoken in recent weeks, with Democrats and Republicans outlining concerns and calling for pause.
A group of Capitol Hill Democrats defended the FCC set-top box rulemaking Thursday during a news conference featuring multiple officials affiliated with the Consumer Video Choice Coalition. Opponents of the NPRM, including the Future of TV Coalition, have been outspoken in recent weeks, with Democrats and Republicans outlining concerns and calling for pause.
The House FY 2017 FCC funding bill retained its policy riders curbing the agency’s net neutrality order, mandating a pause to the set-top proceeding and mandating FCC process overhaul Thursday as it advanced to the floor. Appropriations Committee Republicans shot down Democrats' attempts to modify the Financial Services bill during the long full committee markup, approving the bill 30-17.