Broadcasters to FCC: Refresh Docket on Virtual MVPDs

The FCC should issue a public notice refreshing the record on whether streaming services such as Hulu and Fubo should be classified as MVPDs, said the Television Operators Caucus, a broadcast lobbying group, in separate meetings this week with Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioners Geoffrey Starks, Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington, according to ex parte filings posted Thursday in docket 14-261. The video programming and distribution marketplace “has changed dramatically” since comments were last solicited in the docket in 2014, said the lobbying group, which includes Hearst Television President Jordan Wertlieb and Morgan Murphy Media Vice President Business Development Chris Cornelius. Local broadcasters can't negotiate directly with streaming services over carriage the way they do with cable and satellite companies, the group said. “The current model effectively allows the national television Networks to dictate the economics of distribution agreements with [virtual MVPDs],” the filing said. Since MVPD subscriptions and thus retransmission consent revenue is declining, “affording local stations the right to negotiate fair compensation” is “important to the long-term health of local stations,” the filing said.