http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/15/opinion/free-tv-viewers-from-cable-box-fees.html 2016-09-15 09:49:36 Free TV Viewers From Cable Box Fees Ending cable’s control over set-top boxes would result in lower costs and more choice for TV consumers. === That little black cable box beside your television is your gateway to dozens of great shows. It’s also a drain, sucking money out of your home. Every month, millions of Americans are forced to pay high fees to rent cable boxes. The only way this can change is if the On top of the fees they pay for the programming itself, people spend an average of $231 a year to rent cable boxes, or about $20 billion annually, according to an Ending cable’s monopolistic control over set-top devices would result in more choice at less cost. The F.C.C. chairman, Tom Wheeler, Large cable and satellite companies would have two years to develop the apps and smaller cable companies would get four years. Some large cable companies, like Comcast and Time Warner Cable, already have apps for some of the competing devices. Cable companies that serve fewer than 400,000 users would be exempt. People who prefer renting cable boxes could continue doing so. Mr. Wheeler has tried to make his proposal more palatable to the cable companies by giving them control over how the apps work. But Instead of freeing consumers from the set-top box squeeze, some Republican and Democratic members of Congress are supporting the cable industry, a generous campaign contributor. The lawmakers are trying to pressure one commissioner in particular, Jessica Rosenworcel, who was nominated by Phones, computers and virtually all other electronic devices become more useful and cost less over time. Why should the box that brings TV shows and movies into homes be any different?