Virtual Digital Cable
Encyclopedia
VDC Corporation is a defunct distributor of multichannel video programming that delivered live cable television through broadband
connected computers in the United States. They developed and were involved in the distribution and delivery of live cable television
programming channels.
In January 2007, VDC made public its decision to file a Program Access complaint with the FCC
to commence a proceeding to obtain enforcement of the program access rules under the 1992 Cable TV Consumer Protection Act, to ensure vertically integrated
programming providers sell their programming to VDC. Such providers include Time Warner
(CNN, TNT, TBS, Cartoon Network, HBO), Liberty Media
, (Discovery Channel), Cablevision (Rainbow) and Comcast
(E!, Golf Channel).
VDC Corporation is currently providing our MVDP / Internet TV Service to a select group of customers with a limited channel lineup.
At this time, additional subscriptions to the service are not being offered, until additional programming is secured.
A Program Access Complaint is currently pending at the FCC regarding VDC's ability to acquire additional programming for our MVPD system.
Our goal is to begin offering an expanded channel lineup to the public for $9.95 per month as soon as the Program Access Complaint is decided, and the FCC forces content providers to provide VDC with their linear content." -From VDC's website
cable marketplace with the 1992 Cable TV Consumer Protection Act. Using the internet, VDC claims to have brought diversity and increased competition to the marketplace:
VDC's complaint with the FCC
was filed against Turner Broadcasting System
to force Turner into compliance with the 1992 Cable Act and to recognize VDC as an MVPD. This would grant VDC mandatory access to broadcast Turner's programming on VDC's MVPD system, it was moved to the TV Osaka
's Building.
The FCC debate also raises regulatory and broadcast issues involving net neutrality
.
Broadband
The term broadband refers to a telecommunications signal or device of greater bandwidth, in some sense, than another standard or usual signal or device . Different criteria for "broad" have been applied in different contexts and at different times...
connected computers in the United States. They developed and were involved in the distribution and delivery of live cable television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
programming channels.
History
VDC Corporation was founded in 2002 by Scott Wolf. VDC was a pioneer in the delivery of live cable programming to mobile devices. The company transitioned its mobile product to the delivery of live cable television to desktop computers with their Virtual Digital Cable service launched in April 2006. In October 2006, VDC became one of the first providers to utilize the Microsoft Silverlight technology to provide secure, live distribution of streaming television.In January 2007, VDC made public its decision to file a Program Access complaint with the FCC
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
to commence a proceeding to obtain enforcement of the program access rules under the 1992 Cable TV Consumer Protection Act, to ensure vertically integrated
Vertical integration
In microeconomics and management, the term vertical integration describes a style of management control. Vertically integrated companies in a supply chain are united through a common owner. Usually each member of the supply chain produces a different product or service, and the products combine to...
programming providers sell their programming to VDC. Such providers include Time Warner
Time Warner
Time Warner is one of the world's largest media companies, headquartered in the Time Warner Center in New York City. Formerly two separate companies, Warner Communications, Inc...
(CNN, TNT, TBS, Cartoon Network, HBO), Liberty Media
Liberty Media
Liberty Media Corporation is an American media conglomerate and the control is exercised by company Chairman John C. Malone, who owns a majority of the voting shares....
, (Discovery Channel), Cablevision (Rainbow) and Comcast
Comcast
Comcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
(E!, Golf Channel).
Current Status
"Current Status (Updated 1/21/2010):VDC Corporation is currently providing our MVDP / Internet TV Service to a select group of customers with a limited channel lineup.
At this time, additional subscriptions to the service are not being offered, until additional programming is secured.
A Program Access Complaint is currently pending at the FCC regarding VDC's ability to acquire additional programming for our MVPD system.
Our goal is to begin offering an expanded channel lineup to the public for $9.95 per month as soon as the Program Access Complaint is decided, and the FCC forces content providers to provide VDC with their linear content." -From VDC's website
Controversies
Congress attempted to encourage growth and competition in the vertically integratedVertical integration
In microeconomics and management, the term vertical integration describes a style of management control. Vertically integrated companies in a supply chain are united through a common owner. Usually each member of the supply chain produces a different product or service, and the products combine to...
cable marketplace with the 1992 Cable TV Consumer Protection Act. Using the internet, VDC claims to have brought diversity and increased competition to the marketplace:
"The term ‘multichannel video programming distributor’ means an entity engaged in the business of making available for purchase, by subscribers or customers, multiple channels of video programming. Such entities include, but are not limited to, a cable operator, a multichannel multipoint distribution service, a direct broadcast satellite service, a television receive-only satellite program distributor, and a satellite master antenna television system operator, as well as buying groups or agents of all such entities."
VDC's complaint with the FCC
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
was filed against Turner Broadcasting System
Turner Broadcasting System
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. is the Time Warner subsidiary managing the collection of cable networks and properties started and acquired by Robert Edward "Ted" Turner starting in the mid-1970s. The company has its headquarters in the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia. TBS, Inc...
to force Turner into compliance with the 1992 Cable Act and to recognize VDC as an MVPD. This would grant VDC mandatory access to broadcast Turner's programming on VDC's MVPD system, it was moved to the TV Osaka
TV Osaka
is a TV station affiliated with TXN in Osaka, Japan. The mascot character is "Takoru-kun" .-Offices:*The headquarters - 1-2-18, Otemae, Chūō-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan...
's Building.
The FCC debate also raises regulatory and broadcast issues involving net neutrality
Network neutrality
Network neutrality is a principle that advocates no restrictions by Internet service providers or governments on consumers' access to networks that participate in the Internet...
.
External links
- http://www.vdc.com
- Web Video Outlet Wants Access to Turner Networks Multichannel News