JESSELL AT LARGE
Stations’ Online Future Hinges On ‘MVPD’
The regulatory issue that was talked about privately and extensively by broadcasters and their lawyers at NAB this week was the FCC’s request for comments on the definition of multichannel video program distributor (MVPD). If the FCC finds that Internet distributors are MVPDs, just like cable and satellite operators, then they will be subject to retransmission consent. Bottom line: Stations will be assured of controlling the distribution of their signals on the Internet, even if Internet distributors are granted the compulsory license.
