FCC's Martin looking lonely

Just two weeks after FCC chief Kevin Martin floated his re-regulation of big cable idea, he looks decidedly isolated with fellow commissioners and congressional members of both flavors seriously questioning the move. In Washington, the Cable lobby wasted little time pulling in favors owed and in the days ahead of Tuesday's meeting there has been report after report suggesting Martin is not going to be able to deliver his proposal.

An editorial Monday in the conservative Wall Street Journal [1] featured a long piece denouncing both the methodology and intent of Martin's re-regulation proposal. It began: "With all due respect to Kevin Martin, we're beginning to wonder if the head of the Federal Communications Commission knows the first thing about the cable industry he regulates."

Even the broadcasters--traditionally not a close friend of the cable industry--offered their protest. Ahead of the meeting Martin was trying to salvage something of his plan and how it impacts on both current and new players in the broader video market place was unknown. But having fired both barrels and being forced to back off, Martin now risks joining his president in what could be a long and not productive run up to next year's election.

More Reports:
- FCC plays monopoly Wall Street Journal editorial [1]
- FCC plan at Risk Wall Street Journal Report
[2]- New York Times reports [3] Martin is struggling to get the votes

Related articles:
- Kremlin media regulation Report [4] 
- FCC, cable TV debate '70/70' Report [5]