WASHINGTON: Major outreach by cable industry representatives working with minority and other advocacy groups helped block a recent FCC bid to exert more regulatory control over the industry. The groups perceived the measure as a step toward "a la carte" cable channel pricing and distribution.
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin had sought to invoke the "70-70" rule, which gives the FCC greater industry regulation if 70% of households have access to cable service and 70% of those households actually subscribe. ...