Extending MVPD Status to OVDs Could Hurt Competition, Consumers, YipTV Says
Before reclassifying online video distributors, the FCC should first seek comment from OVDs about how being considered multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) would create "substantial technical challenges," complete its review of retransmission consent negotiation rules, and do a similar review…
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of program access rules, YipTV said in an ex parte filing. Posted Monday in docket 14-261, it detailed a meeting between CEO Michael Tribolet and other YipTV representatives with Media Bureau and Office of Strategic Planning staffers and front-line staffers of various commissioners. With such a reclassification, the FCC "endangers the very competition and consumer choice that [it] is intending to support by this proposed change," the OVD said. In its filing, YipTV also repeated its argument to the FCC that any such re-categorization of some types of OVDs as MVPDs needs to be voluntary on the part of the OVD, or the obligations that come with being an MVPD are waived (see 1508120012). In its latest filing, YipTV also said such MVPD obligations should be phased in over three years "at the very least." The program access that would come with being an MVPD don't outweigh, in its case, "the ... legacy obligations associated with MVPD status," YipTV said. "Reclassification as an MVPD will bring substantial costs that may limit its ability to obtain new programming -- thus reducing the programming choices available to consumers -- and likely increasing the end-cost of its service."