The FCC has asked Dish Network (NASDAQ: DISH) about how it reached its programming deals for its $20-a-month OTT service, Sling TV.
The inquiry is tied to the Federal Communications Commission's ongoing review of the proposed Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) takeover of Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC). The agency is seeking to better understand how the consolidation of the pair's market power in broadband will impact services including Sling TV.
As reported by Re/code, the FCC letter states that, "In order for the commission to complete its review of the applications and make the necessary public interest findings under section 310(d) of the Communications Act, we require information and data from other commercial wireline carriers against which the applicants compete … We request that Dish Network provide copies of any and all of its agreements with the following programming entities relating to video programming provided on Dish's Sling TV service. "
Programming outlets named in the letter are A&E Networks, CBS, Comcast, ABC, E.W. Scripps and Turner Broadcasting System.
This latest request follows a similar inquiry in December aimed at Netflix, Google, Amazon, Hulu, HBO and several other Internet companies.
For more:
- read this FCC letter (PDF)
- read this Re/code story
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