The FCC and Regardless of the Opinions of the Cable Industry - Research Paper Example

Due The Future of the Film and Television Industry Today entertainment seekers have so many, sometimes overwhelming, options; not just through the variety of programming, but the means by which you receive that entertainment. Internet entertainment providers like Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime are all competing with cable and satellite providers with original programming, competitive storylines, and respected actors like Time Warner, Comcast, and DirectTV, three dominant cable television providers.

In the article by April Sperry, titled “Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Originals: Time To Cancel Your Cable Subscription.” explains that at less than 10 dollars a month the allure of the internet sites make traditional cable and digital television far too costly. (1). The FCC, as explained in the article, “FCC to Investigate Deals Between ISPs And Content Providers,” has taken interest in the situation when internet content providers claimed that companies, like Comcast, were intentionally making the ability of customers to look at their sites purposefully diminishing their viewership (New York Times, 1).

Of course this resulted in an agreement between the two that the some say is unjust and sets negative precedent. Regardless of the reasons it seems fairly obvious that as technology change and innovates our means and ways of viewing entertainment will continue to change. The traditional route of cable and satellite carriers has become too costly and, no longer necessarily offers the best programming, which creates an economic and creative disadvantage to network and cable television networks, which includes the premium networks, like HBO and Showtime.

Eventually society will no longer engage in traditional television; not when they can record, save, and watch series and films whenever and wherever they like. In fairness, it is not hard to see why the cable companies, many of which have monopolized the television entertainment industry for years, feels threatened by this cheaper, original, and well-produced series that are not available on the cable networks and their competitive costs, which are, at least, 25% less than the average of cable and DVR (Digital Video Recorder) packages.

Ultimately, regardless of the investigations of the FCC and regardless of the opinions of the Cable industry it will be cost and convenience that will, no doubt, win out in the end. Work Cited Sperry, April. "Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Originals: Time To Cancel Your Cable Subscription." Huffington Post. 18 Jan 2014: 1. Web. 20 Jun. 2014. . The New York Times, . "FCC to investigate deals between ISPs and content providers." New York Times 13 June 2014, n. pag. Web. 20 Jun. 2014. .