US FCC proposes to force cable TV operators to disclose full pricing

[groundloop]

Source: Reuters

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Tuesday proposed a rule that would require cable TV and broadcast satellite operators to disclose to consumers the full pricing for video programming services in promotional materials and on their bills - a plan quickly endorsed by President Joe Biden.

The FCC's proposal is intended to force these companies to make clear the "all-in" cost to consumers rather than concealing the true price by hitting subscribers with various taxes, fees and surcharges excluded from the promoted pricing.

The plan would require providers to disclose the total cost of video programming service - including broadcast retransmission consent, regional sports programming and other programming-related fees - as a prominent single line item on bills and in promotional materials.

[snip]

The Democratic president has criticized fees in a number of industries including airlines, credit card providers, concert ticket websites and others, saying businesses use "junk fees to hide true costs from families, who end up paying more as a result."

Read more: reuters.com/world/us/us-fcc-proposes-force-cable-tv-operators-disclose-full-pricing-2023-06-20/

[GB_RN]

1. How About...

In addition to that, for those who still have the cord, let them go á la carte on the cable subscription? Don’t want Faux Nuz? Gone. Don’t watch religious channels? Gone. Pick and choose what you want and pay for what you get.

[lastlib]

4. THIS!!

That's my gripe, in a nutshell!

[tornado34jh]

2. They really need to do this for everything

Has anyone noticed on commercials/ads there is a section with really small print that has conditions and all that? Those are what are called "hidden messages". It's not just about money. They do that to try to make it not noticeable which would make people avoid getting it, and try to get you to look at the bigger picture to buy that particular product. It might say for example on a car, "No interest until 2025 or get $300 cash back" or "get 4 lines on AT&T for $30.00 a month" or something like that, when really it is not actually that simple. There are always hidden conditions and all that. Usually, especially with subscriptions, the price is not static and it changes over time. Even ordering online such as on Amazon doesn't show the full price. When you checkout, the price you see is only the subtotal. It then usually includes taxes and shipping and handling, which often makes the final price significantly more than what is shown. I think there should be a clear indication of exactly how much a product is going to cost, including any fees, taxes, whatever.

[Chainfire]

3. If big business can't be allowed to fleece unsuspecting customers what is this country coming to;

it must be Socialism!

[republianmushroom]

5. I like it

[jaxexpat]

6. An issue most users can get behind 100%.

Also, I've noticed a reduction in the number of spam calls lately. Could it be our Joe has made an impression which may improve the future of our civilization?

[beat.raven]

7. pick what U want?

Wouldn't it be nice just to be able to pick, say, 50 channels that you might actually want to watch.

I surely don't need home shopping channels, American media news (the BBC might be fine), Dr Pimple Popper, Pie In The Sky When You Die channels, ancient movies I saw on Channel 3 in 1956, Fringe Crackpot cooking channels,Young Blond Women Pretending To Be Remodelling Contractor channels, et al ad nauseum.

We got hundreds of channels, even without having to pay extra, but I don't look at more than 2 or 3 of them.