Rosenworcel Circulates Independent Programming NPRM

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel circulated an NPRM on the 10th floor on “leveling the playing field” for independent video programming, said a news release Wednesday. “Stakeholders continue to raise concerns that certain marketplace practices by distributors may hinder independent video programmers from reaching consumers across all video platforms,” said the news release. The NPRM would seek comment on “the current state of the marketplace for diverse and independent programming,” including “obstacles faced by independent programmers seeking multichannel video programming distributor carriage and carriage on online platforms” and actions the FCC can take to promote competition in that area, the release said. An FCC official told us the item seeks broad comment on MVPD practices in carriage negotiations with independent networks such as most favored nation clauses. Former FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn was a vocal proponent of the agency's previous look at these matters in 2016 (see 2112100027).