MVPD Carriage Elections Going Electronic?

Posted on December 28th, 2017 by

That is a correct headline. TV stations that have to make carriage elections every three years with their cable companies or satellite carriers should keep reading. The memory of having to prepare a paper letter for each MVPD and sending them via mail (some certified, others not) and keeping everything straight should be pretty fresh in your mind, as you just finished doing so for the 3-year carriage election cycle starting January 1, 2018 and ending December 31, 2020.

Well, the FCC has actually launched a common-sense rulemaking proceeding exploring the possibility of changing the paper-and-post-office approach to an electronic one. Do you agree? Then read the rulemaking here (paragraphs 25-27) and chime in with your thoughts or endorsement.

Speaking of the elections you just made, it’s worth your time to check every MVPD provider you send carriage elections to, and confirm that they are carrying you come January 1st. If not, there is a special procedure for enforcing your rights, and it has notice and time restrictions.