Dear Chairman Genachowsld:
The HOIl, Julius Genachowski
Chairtl1an
Fedettll Communications Commission
445'12 Street, SW
Washinf:,rtO\l, D,C,20544
HOWARD COBLE
SIX'" DISTRICT
NOATH CAflOLINA
2468 RAYBLJRN HOUSE! O"IC! BUILOING
WASHINGTON, DC 20616...1:)08
PHON!: !202) 226-3066
FAx: (202)226-8&11
8-mllll: howard.coblllOmall,hou8B.tjOV
www,cobla.houee.gov
it
([ongress of tbt~nitebi>tates
1f.Jouse of 1\epresentatlbes
_al$bington,tJ9lll: 20515-3306
August 3, 2010
COh,lMlneES;
JUDICIARY
RANKING Ml:Meefl,
SUBCOMMITTea ON COURTS
ANDCoMP~nTI!,NPOL.ICY
TRANSPORTATION AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
PRINTED ON RECYCLeD PAPeR
ltis my understanding that retransmissionconsent negotiations between contel1t
providers and multichannel video prograrlllning distributors have become increasingly
controversial.
In a perfect world the free market would drive these negotiations but the l'cality is that
Tetransmissionconsent negotiations are not tree. from government involvement. Thisis
complicated by a110thet reality; the marketplace is subject to rapid change as new
technologies come onIin\'),
The Federal Comtn
Ul1
ications Conuriission has a tesponsibility to el1sure the ihterests
ofconsumers arc not undenuined when retransmission consent negotiations \'>reak doWl1.
With that in mind, Iwould support the Commission reviewing these negotiations. that being
said, I do 'lOt advocate that the Commission take any specific action.
Sincerely,
r~
HOWARD COBLE
Member ofCongress
HC:jfm
SUlTII101
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