Genachowski to Fox/Cablevision: Time for Gamesmanship is Over

FCC Chairman "deeply troubled" over lack of progress

By John Eggerton -- Multichannel News, 10/19/2010 5:31:19 PM

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski had not commented on the new retrans bill being proffered by Sen. John Kerry, but he took both Fox and Cablevision to task equally Monday on the same issue, essentially taking them on the regulatory equivalent of a trip to the woodshed.

Having phoned the CEOs of both companies, Genachowski said in a statement that he was "deeply troubled that Cablevision and Fox are spending more time attacking each other through ads and lobbyists than sitting down at the negotiating table. The time for petty gamesmanship is over."

In the calls, he said that he "reiterated the importance of reaching a deal, as many companies have done before." He also suggested the FCC would be trying to determine whether either side was not negotiating in good faith, a point at which the FCC is empowered to step in per the retransmission consent law.

"I reminded the companies that they share responsibility for consumer disruption, and that they shouldn't punish consumers because of their unwillingness to reach a deal," he said. "I also insisted that they negotiate in good faith.  We will continue to scrutinize their actions very closely."

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