FCC delays action on proposal to bypass set-top boxes

The FCC delayed a vote scheduled Thursday on Chairman Tom Wheeler's proposed rule to require pay TV services to offer their programming on streaming apps. "We have made tremendous progress and we share the goal of creating a more innovative and inexpensive market for these consumer devices," said a statement from Wheeler and Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel. "We are still working to resolve the remaining technical and legal issues and we are committed to unlocking the set-top box for consumers across this country." Wheeler's proposal is aimed at giving pay TV consumers access to the programming they pay for every month without a cable box. Cable companies argued that the proposal exceeded the commission's legal authority and was an example of government overreach into the pay TV industry.