Legislation has been filed in the U.S. House of Representatives that would prohibit the FCC from regulating cable under the current 70/70 formula.
The measure, sponsored by Reps. Marsha Blackburn, R-TN, Edolphus Towns D-NY, and Joe Barton R-TX, seeks to block a move by FCC chairman Kevin Martin to reregulate the cable industry.
Under current law, if cable reaches 70 percent household penetration and 70 percent subscribership it could be subject to additional FCC regulation. The bill seeks to remove the 70/70 formula from the books.
“Like the black and white television, Betamax video recorder and the telegraph of yesteryear, it is time to retire the FCC’s 70/70 authority under current law,” Blackburn said.