'All-In' Video Pricing NPRM Circulated

Cable and direct broadcast satellite operators would have to prominently specify the “all-in” price for video service in their promo material and on bills, under a draft NPRM circulated by FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel's office, the agency said Wednesday. The agency didn't make the item publicly available but said it proposes that the line item in bills and the figure in promo materials include retransmission consent, regional sports programming and other content fees. The agency said the aim is "to eliminate the misleading practice of describing these video programming costs as a tax, fee, or surcharge." "No one likes surprises on their bill, especially families on tight budgets,” Rosenworcel said. “We’re working to make it so the advertised price for a service is the price you pay when your bill arrives and isn’t littered with anything that resembles junk fees."