JOELLE TESSLER, AP Technology Writer
WASHINGTON – Cable TV operators will no longer be able to withhold sporting events and other popular programming that they own from satellite providers and other rivals.
The Federal Communications Commission voted 4-to-1 on Wednesday to eliminate the so-called “terrestrial loophole” in a 1992 federal cable law, which requires cable operators to give competitors access to cable-owned programming that is transmitted using satellite connections. Until now, the provision didn’t apply when the cable operators send those programs over land-based networks instead.
Cable companies have been using the loophole, for instance, to keep San Diego Padres games off AT&T Inc.’s U-Verse video service as well as three Philadelphia sports teams off DirecTV Inc. and Echostar Corp.’s Dish Network satellite systems.
“Consumers who want to switch video providers should not have to give up their favorite team in the process,” FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said.