US TV
The Federal Communications Commission has been forced to delay moves towards stricter regulation of big cable operators.
Current legislation states that when companies reach a specified proportion of viewers the regulator can create rules to protect programme diversity. The largest include Comcast and Time Warner Cable.
FCC chairman Kevin Martin previously said the point had been reached and, putting forward audience figures from Warren Communications, planned to hold a vote on it at Tuesday's meeting of the group.
However, the meeting was delayed through the day with other FCC members and cable representatives questioning the data. Martin was also accused of "suppressing" the real figures and being determined to move towards greater regulation.
It was finally decided the commission would get hold of more data with cable companies asked to provide it within 60 days.
Martin denied other figures had so far been kept back and said the Warren data was considered the most accurate.
"They weren't even asked for before yesterday," he explained. "But in the end, what I think is important, despite all the fighting... is that we're going to move forward and get more data."
Current legislation states that when companies reach a specified proportion of viewers the regulator can create rules to protect programme diversity. The largest include Comcast and Time Warner Cable.
FCC chairman Kevin Martin previously said the point had been reached and, putting forward audience figures from Warren Communications, planned to hold a vote on it at Tuesday's meeting of the group.
However, the meeting was delayed through the day with other FCC members and cable representatives questioning the data. Martin was also accused of "suppressing" the real figures and being determined to move towards greater regulation.
It was finally decided the commission would get hold of more data with cable companies asked to provide it within 60 days.
Martin denied other figures had so far been kept back and said the Warren data was considered the most accurate.
"They weren't even asked for before yesterday," he explained. "But in the end, what I think is important, despite all the fighting... is that we're going to move forward and get more data."
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