The House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications and Technology will hold a hearing tomorrow at 2 pm ET entitled "Lights, Camera, Subscriptions: State of the Video Marketplace." Promisingly, this hearing will focus, at least in part, on outdated regulations that inappropriately impede traditional video programming distributors' ability to participate in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
When announcing the hearing, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodger (R-WA) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chair Bob Latta (R-OH) stated the following:
Over the last decade, the video marketplace has undergone a transformative shift as more media content moves online. The introduction of streaming services expanded the options for consumers to choose where, when, and what content they view. While there is an unprecedented amount of content, like movies, TV shows, and news, available, the rise of these services creates challenges for traditional media providers who continue to compete despite being saddled with regulations. We look forward to discussing the evolution of this market, the steps Congress can take to ensure outdated regulations do not hinder innovation and competition, as well as how to bring the traditional marketplace into the 21st century.
Scheduled witnesses include:
- FuboTV Inc. Board Member and CEO David Gandler (witness testimony)
- National Association of Broadcasters President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt (witness testimony)
- Consumer Reports Senior Policy Counsel and Manager of Special Projects Jonathan Schwantes (witness testimony)
- America's Communications Association – ACA Connects President and CEO Grant B. Spellmeyer (witness testimony)
In a recent post to the Free State Foundation's blog, I presented the latest evidence of longstanding subscriber trends – specifically, that traditional video programming distribution platforms, both facilities-based and virtual, continue to shed customers while countless streaming services add them.
Consequently, and as I argued in "With Pay-TV on the Wane, Legacy Regulations Should Follow," a July Perspectives from FSF Scholars, "consumers have available more than sufficient choices to compel a comprehensive change in course away from government intervention … and toward the exclusive reliance upon efficiently operating market forces."
Perhaps tomorrow's hearing will serve as a significant step in that direction.
Posts
