Media Contact:
Office of Media Relations
[email protected]
For Immediate Release
FCC VOTES TO REQUIRE CABLE AND SATELLITE TV PRICING
TRANSPARENCY
New ‘All-In’ Pricing Rules Will Address Consumers’ Confusion on Hidden Fees in
Cable and Satellite TV Billing
WASHINGTON, March 14, 2024—The Federal Communications Commission today adopted
new rules requiring cable and satellite TV providers to specify the “all-in” price clearly and
prominently for video programming service in their promotional materials and on subscribers’
bills. The FCC aims to eliminate the misleading practice of describing video programming costs
as a tax, fee, or surcharge.
This updated “all-in” pricing format allows consumers to make informed choices, including the
ability to comparison shop among competitors and to compare programming costs against
alternative programming providers, including streaming services. TV providers often use
deceptive junk fees to hide the real price of their services. The FCC is putting an end to this form
of price masking, increasing competition, and reducing confusion among consumers.
These new rules require cable operators and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) providers to state the
total cost of video programming service clearly and prominently, including broadcast
retransmission consent, regional sports programming, and other programming-related fees, as a
prominent single line item on subscribers’ bills and in promotional materials. The record
demonstrates that charges and fees for video programming provided by cable and DBS providers
are often obscured in misleading promotional materials and bills, which causes significant and
costly confusion for consumers.
These new rules continue a series of consumer-focused proposals to combat junk fees and support
transparency for consumers. In addition to this “all-in” pricing, the Commission is preparing to
upcoming launch of the mandatory Broadband Consumer Labels and has proposed to eliminate
early termination fees from cable and satellite TV providers.
Action by the Commission March 14, 2024 by Report and Order (FCC 24-29). Chairwoman
Rosenworcel, Commissioners Starks and Gomez approving. Commissioners Carr and Simington
dissenting. Chairwoman Rosenworcel, Commissioners Carr, Starks, and Simington issuing
separate statements.
MB Docket No. 23-203
Media Contact: Office of Media Relations [email protected] For Immediate Release FCC VOTES TO REQUIRE CABLE AND SATELLITE TV PRICING TRANSPARENCY New ‘All-In’ Pricing Rules Will Address Consumers’ Confusion on Hidden Fees in Cable and Satellite TV Billing
WASHINGTON, March 14, 2024—The Federal Communications Commission today adopted new rules requiring cable and satellite TV providers to specify the “all-in” price clearly and prominently for video programming service in their promotional materials and on subscribers’ bills. The FCC aims to eliminate the misleading practice of describing video programming costs as a tax, fee, or surcharge. This updated “all-in” pricing format allows consumers to make informed choices, including the ability to comparison shop among competitors and to compare programming costs against alternative programming providers, including streaming services. TV providers often use deceptive junk fees to hide the real price of their services. The FCC is putting an end to this form of price masking, increasing competition, and reducing confusion among consumers. These new rules require cable operators and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) providers to state the total cost of video programming service clearly and prominently, including broadcast retransmission consent, regional sports programming, and other programming-related fees, as a prominent single line item on subscribers’ bills and in promotional materials. The record demonstrates that charges and fees for video programming provided by cable and DBS providers are often obscured in misleading promotional materials and bills, which causes significant and costly confusion for consumers. These new rules continue a series of consumer-focused proposals to combat junk fees and support transparency for consumers. In addition to this “all-in” pricing, the Commission is preparing to upcoming launch of the mandatory Broadband Consumer Labels and has proposed to eliminate early termination fees from cable and satellite TV providers. Action by the Commission March 14, 2024 by Report and Order (FCC 24-29). Chairwoman Rosenworcel, Commissioners Starks and Gomez approving. Commissioners Carr and Simington dissenting. Chairwoman Rosenworcel, Commissioners Carr, Starks, and Simington issuing separate statements. MB Docket No. 23-203