CLAIM: Free Press Blasts Fox for Blocking Online Content in Cablevision Dispute (fwd)
Bill Densmore
The claim here seems to be that if someone tries to access Fox.com or
Hulu.com domains from a computer that is accessing the internet via
Cablevision high-speed that Fox and Hulu are discriminating by
blocking IP numbers assigned to Cablevision and refusing to serve
pages to them.
Is there anyone on Cablevision who can test this?
-- bill densmore
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 16 Oct 2010 17:02:06 -0400
From: Jenn Ettinger <jett...@freepress.net>
Contact: Jenn Ettinger, 202-265-1490 x 35
Free Press Blasts Fox for Blocking Online Content in Cablevision Dispute
WASHINGTON - Reports indicate that Fox Broadcasting Company, a subsidiary of News Corporation, is blocking Cablevision high-speed Internet customers
from accessing Fox.com and Hulu content. Fox's actions raise important questions about the future of the online video market and the public interest
obligations of broadcasters.
Free Press Research Director S. Derek Turner issued the following statement:
"This is a very disturbing, anti-consumer move by Fox. Consumers should have the right to watch online content, and this access should not be tied to
a dispute over cable television carriage arrangements. This discrimination against Cablevision high-speed Internet customers is particularly egregious
because all other online viewers who do not purchase any cable television service currently have unfettered access to Hulu and Fox.com content.
"This move is also an example of a major user of public spectrum abusing the public interest. Fox's willingness to harm Internet users as a side
effect of their dispute with Cablevision over broadcasting content is a disturbing escalation of the retransmission battles, one where consumers are
caught in the middle.
"This highlights the rocky future ahead for so-called "cord-cutters" who use online video services as a way to break free from the expensive and
restrictive cable distribution model. We call on policymakers to dig deep into this anti-consumer tying of content and act to ensure the online video
market is not destroyed in its infancy."
Free Press is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media. Free Press does not support or oppose any candidate for public office.
Through education, organizing and advocacy, we promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media, and universal access to
communications. Learn more at www.freepress.net
grob...@gothamgazette.com
I'm a Cablevision customer and cannot get Fox on the television (to my
irritation could not watch the Giants and the Phillies last night). But
after getting this I did go to Fox.com and selected some TV show on the
home page at random and was able to view it.
Not sure if this is what they had in mind but thought I'd pass this along.
Best,
Gail
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Robin 'Roblimo' Miller
> Hi,
>
> I'm a Cablevision customer and cannot get Fox on the television (to my
> irritation could not watch the Giants and the Phillies last night). But
> after getting this I did go to Fox.com and selected some TV show on the
> home page at random and was able to view it.
Fox has threatened our local cable operator, Brighthouse, several times.
Each time Brighthouse has caved -- and ended up raising rates.
I figure they want us to buy a tall antenna mast (we're in a fringe
reception area for Tampa TV stations) and dump cable.
Okay.
- Robin
Josh Stearns
I'm not the person at Free Press working on this policy issue, but would be happy to connect anyone who is interested. I think this piece from Ars Technica gives a pretty thorough overview of the issue and the chain of events: http://arstechnica.com/media/news/2010/10/fox-throws-anti-net-neutrality-pie-at-cablevision-in-carriage-wars.ars
As an FYI - we did not first claim that Fox was blocking their websites and Hulu for Cablevision customers - the reports came from a number of industry reporters who were following the Cablevision and Fox negotiations. Fox has gotten enormous blow back for this and may have backed off some of the online blocking, but I'm not sure.
Best,
Josh
Josh Stearns
Associate Program Director
Free Press :: www.freepress.net // SaveTheNews :: www.savethenews.org
Twitter: @jcstearns // Phone: 413.585.1533 ext. 204
National Conference for Media Reform
Boston, April 8-10, 2011
Register Now! freepress.net/conference
Okay.
- Robin
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