Cable’s focus on number of channels in FCC rate proceeding contra...

Cable’s focus on number of channels in FCC rate proceeding contrasts sharply with its focus on bandwidth in DTV must-carry proceeding, NAB said in comments on Commission cable rate rulemaking (MB 02-144). Cable has contended it shouldn’t have to carry ancillary services because that would use up bandwidth, but NAB said that amounted to “shaving” bandwidth allocated to broadcasters for use in other services. Cable focuses on number of channels in rate case “in order to increase cable rates as much as possible,” NAB said, but on bandwidth in carriage case “to commandeer bandwidth.”