Released: April 15, 2016

President supports FCC proposal to unlock pay-TV set-top boxes

Today, President Obama announced his support for the Federal Communications Commission's proposal to open up pay-TV set-top boxes to competition from new apps and devices.

"Consumer Action is thrilled and heartened by President Obama's support for set-top box competition," said Linda Sherry of Consumer Action. "Like the President, Consumer Action supports the Federal Communications Commission's proposal, which will pave the way for companies to create new, innovative, higher-quality, lower-cost products that will allow consumers to “unlock” their pay-TV boxes and experience true control and choice over what they want to watch."

Pay-TV customers are charged continuously for outdated equipment, some of it is a decade or more out-of-date, yet the providers still collect their monthly tolls. These devices are cash cows for providers. “The extraordinary pushback we are seeing about the proposed rulemaking only points to the fact that pay-TV providers are desperate to protect an outdated model and unconscionable profits,” said Sherry.

Click here to read what the President had to say.