FCC Proposes Forcing Full Disclosure On Cable Bills

 The FCC on Tuesday proposed a rule that would require cable TV and broadcast satellite operators to disclose to consumers the full pricing for video programming services in promotional materials and on their bills - a plan quickly endorsed by President Joe Biden.

Reuters reports the FCC's proposal is intended to force these companies to make clear the "all-in" cost to consumers rather than concealing the true price by hitting subscribers with various taxes, fees and surcharges excluded from the promoted pricing.

The plan would require providers to disclose the total cost of video programming service - including broadcast retransmission consent, regional sports programming and other programming-related fees - as a prominent single line item on bills and in promotional materials.

Major cable TV companies include Comcast Corp, Cox Communications, Charter Communications and others. Satellite providers include Dish Network.

Biden said in a statement that too often "these companies hide additional junk fees on customer bills disguised as 'broadcast TV' or 'regional sports' fees that in reality pay for no additional services."

The Democratic president has criticized fees in a number of industries including airlines, credit card providers, concert ticket websites and others, saying businesses use "junk fees to hide true costs from families, who end up paying more as a result."