WTA Files Comments on “Good Faith” in Retransmission Consent Negotiations

Yesterday, WTA filed comments urging reform to the Federal Communications Commission’s totality of the circumstances test and enforcement of the requirement that MVPDs and broadcasters negotiate retransmission consent agreements in good faith. The comments explain the challenges small rural cable and IPTV providers face in obtaining retransmission consent and the impact broadcasters’ pricing and carriage demands have on the ability for small providers to continue offering video services to their customers. WTA asks the Commission to provide additional guidance on the standard of good faith in retransmission consent negotiations by prohibiting certain negotiation practices and to increase transparency in pricing in order to protect consumers from unreasonable rate increases.