Now. Most recently, what we have had is that entertainment piece. We have posted at the National Film festival starting last year from china with ministry support. We brought over six producers. They are bringing another group this march the National Film festival. In turn, we are looking at going over there. We had a great asset in tennessee with our music and film industry. Abigail has been working with china bringing music to tennessee and taking our focus is it going there. We are engaging in some of these activities going on unofficially and kind of crystallizing them and same these are true opportunities for crosscultural relationships developing business between the two. John i am mindful of time and i am afraid we have to wrap things up. Thank you so much for this rich discussion. We heard a lot about talent and development. We also heard about process. You need to align up all of the players internally to make sure you attract properly. We also heard about longterm partnership on both sides and something you go invest too. Growing clusters and ultimately creating more jobs. I would like to thank the nga mark brady and i would like to jim, donovan, and leslie for being such a great panel this morning. Thank you all very much for your time. [applause] today the National GovernorsAssociation Meeting concludes. A panel oflowed by former governors who also served in the United States senate. That includes senator mark senator warner of west virginia. At 8 30 a. M. Row eastern on cspan two. On thursday, the federal Communications Commission held a about television settop boxes. Rule to allowa consumers to use newer, less expensive devices in place of traditional cable settop boxes. This is just under two hours will we are going to do that. The most important person of the moment has arrived. Good morning, madame secretary. And when we say good morning we really mean good morning to you this morning. Welcome everybody to the february meeting of the federal Communications Commission. Madame secretary, will you please introduce the agenda. For todays meeting you will hear three items for consideration. Anst you will consider increase that seeks comment on the current state of Program Diversity and the principal obstacle independent programmers face. Acond, you will consider notice of proposed rulemaking it that seeks comment on a framework for providing innovators divisions manufacturers innovators, Device Manufacturers to access video content. Third, you will consider a second report and order that allocates responsibilities for the deliveries of closed captions on video programming and the handling of captioning complaints. A consentlso consider agenda as listed in the commission february 2016 sunshine notice. This is your agenda for today. And titledtem promoting the availability of diverse and independent sources of video programming will be presented. You, madam secretary. You can now catch her breath. Mr. Like. Mr. Lake good morning. Today, we present a notice of inquiry that presents comment on challenges independent video theirmmers face with content. Inquiry furthers the commissions ongoing efforts to enhance the diversity of programming available to consumers. Independent video programmers have repeatedly expressed concern that certain practices of Cable Operators and other stifleayy m distribution. We want to foster a diverse, robust, competitive marketplace. As the agency church by statute with implementing this objective, we seek to begin a factfinding enterprise on the current state of diversity and consider possible actions the commission might take to address the concerns that have been raised and thereby foster independent sources of programming. Joining me at the table and andha heller, raymond, collision of the policy division. Calisha. Presente pleased to this format to present concern diversity,tate of competition, and innovation. Over the last quarter century we have seen significant changes that have fundamentally altered the way americans access and consume video programming. Consumers today can access video programming of her multiple competing plot arms and the dominance of Cable Operators and pay tv distributors has eroded. Retain anperators important position in the programming marketplace. Growthtill vital for the of emerging programmings. We invite comments generally on the state of independent programming marketplace and the challenging that new and emerging programmers face in attempting to launch a program. We also see comments on several beenfic comments that have identified in other precedings. First, we see comment on contractual provisions. Including alternative distribution. Independent programmers have asserted both types of provisions often hinder their ability to obtain distribution of their content. We also see comment on issues overthetop providers. Including the cost of traditional cable and satellite carriage that want to pursue ott carriage. Next, we will discuss bundling affect on independent programmers. Offeringsple Program Including vertically integrated programmers are able to force to provide carry lessdesirable programming. Assert such bundling limited choices and raise cost to consumers by forcing acceptance of less desirable content. Seek comments to the negotiation practices of m. V. P. Deese and whether happening. Ion is finally, we see comment on Legal Authority in this area and on what role, if any, we should obstaclesdressing the that hinder providers of independent and diapers programming. The media bureau recommends the commission adopt the inquiry and address privileges. Thank you. Commissioner cliburn most maintain his significant influence in the everexpanding video programming marketplace. Since my arrival in the summer of 2009, i have met with and spoken with dozens of independent programmers from extreme ends of the ideological spectrum. Politics aside, they find agreement on three or four issues. Each side says they are facing insurmountable challenges when it comes to acquiring Program Challenges and it is difficult fair or to receive reasonable contract terms and the growth in on time online programming is inhibited because programming is restricted to the contract. Directvat tcent merger, these issues were rage by many parties including and small Cable Operators who repeatedly requested relief. While we found that the issues raised were perhaps not as tanned old in the context of that merger, the level of concern i felt merited a separate proceeding where we a betterlore and gain understanding of the programming marketplace and whether certain practices i operators as claimed are limiting the ability for them to reach their viewers. While i remain unsure the commission is the best place to answer or resolve the issues raised in todays notice of inquiry, we are enabling discussions about what roles, if any, the commission should play in addressing obstacles that may be preventing greater access by consumers to independent and diapers programming. This is a concern because fostering diversity of programming is an important goal of our work. Section 257 of the Communications Act tasks the commission with caring out the National Policy of seeking to promote the purposes of favoring diversity of media voices, vigorous economic competition, Technological Advancement, and promotion of the public interest, convenience, and necessity. Does this provision give the agency the authority to act in this area or are the same issues that independent programmers bring forth best resolved by other agencies or by industrydriven solutions . The goal of this notice of aquiry is to launch factfinding exercise that will start a conversation on how best to promote the availability of diverse and independent sources is of video programming including educational and government programming. Any issue, mr. Chairman, that brings together a content provider who campaigned very for my ouster and another who sing my praises merits a robust discussion. I would like to thank Melissa Myers and. Thank you. Youre the point where everything comes together. They call that conversion, but it feels like a storm sometime. Have a dizzying array of channels available to consumers. We expect programming to be andlable anytime, anywhere, on any screen. Novel platforms for content are cropping up p or, there, and everywhere. The future of watching will not look like the past and that is exciting. But despite all of this change, old problems linger. Time and time again, we hear that independent programmers face a daunting challenge securing real estate on cable and satellite systems. Dominatems it still our video experiences and securing carrier which can be a prerequisite to building viewership that in turn supports viewership and more diverse content. Askstackles the issues and hard questions about new voices, new viewpoints, and the state of the market for independent programming. This is important because what we see on the screen says so much about who we are as individuals, communities, and as a nation. Season of oscars so white and female directors so few, starting a conversation about programming diversity and independent voices might be hard but it is the right thing to do. Kudos to my colleague commissioner cliburn for encouraging us to get this started. Thank you mr. Chairman. Growing up, i did not see many people on the screen who looked like me. Ie of the few such characters remember was on the cartoon jonny quest which was occasionally rerun in the late 1970s. Featured harshly, johnnys sidekick, who was deaf on the streets of calcutta and had mystic powers. The only real life indian character i can recall was one of a classroom full of gifted headnts on the abc sitcom of the class. And in 1990, there was the famed quickie mart owner on the simpsons voiced by that noted indianamerican, hank as area. Now netflix carries master of the, the show focuses on americanborn son of american immigrants living in new york city and tells stories ive never before seen on american television. As an americanborn of indian itrican immigrants myself, examines the we lay should who came to this country in the 1960s and 70s and their children. Friends are asest chineseamerican in den africanamerican lesbian. Needless to say, the show is a far cry from leave it to beaver. Theway things were and stark difference between the way experience forms my of this. Overthetop video in particular has been a game changer. It has given Diverse Voices a new way to be heard and has thingsmericans a look at they may not have seen before. The youtube video, the misadventures of an awkward black girl. When asked why she created it, the creator said, i felt my voice was missing. And others i want to see are missing. The first part of her series, which she filmed with friends, quickly got attention on youtube. Thanks to its successful kick start a campaign she was able to raise almost 65,000 through two thousand contributions. Today she has subscribers on her Youtube Channel and has amassed over 20 million views, including my on. Lester, she published a collection of short stories and late last year, it hbo picked up her new series, insecure. Are responding to the wide variety of content available through the overthetop service. As one put it, multicultural ofwers are more likely to made overthetop and integral part of their viewing lifestyle. Of africanamerican viewers, 46 of Asian American viewers, and 56 of hispanic viewers report spending more of their ott as opposed to wait viewers. There may still be challenges in this brave new world. For instance, some have expressed concern that certain carriage practices of Cable Operators and multichannel distributors may limit their ability to reach viewers. Heard these concerns firsthand in my own meetings with programmers. Therefore, i am pleased the commission is giving everyone a chance to provide feedback. Are currently living in the golden age of television. One of the reasons is the amazing range of diverse content available today with the push of a button, the click of a cursor, or the connection. It is important to remember that programs like master of none and the misadventures of awkward black girl are not the product of government regulation but they are thriving because of the technological infant recognized andg rewarded. We should be careful not to hold back this video revolution. Indianamerican kids today can now see themselves on the screen in roles far more varied than the role of snake charmer and the quickie mart manager. That is a good thing. Commissioner oreilly. Commissioner oreilly in reading this item is originally circulated, there were number of thought necessary. One was a slight more concrete language. The avowed goal to begin a conversation as some of my colleagues have mentioned on the state of independent diverse programming. To be changed to seeking information which is a more appropriate goal or inquiry of a federal regulatory agency. It seemy post edits, like that was the easiest to list. This request was denied more than once. It leads me to wonder why the Commission Majority was so deeply reticent to allow this innocuous phrase to begin the conversation. The more i thought of it, the more became clear that beginning eight conversation it is not exactly inaccurate description. With saying it is somehow a novel topic no one has had the ability to weigh in yet. However, the debate around Program Carriage or lack thereof is as close as it gets to a constant fixture for almost as long as there have been cable and satellite systems, programmers have been arguing they need more carriage. We should all be able to agree this conversation began long ago. At least in 1989 when the hadissioners Cable Program complaints that rising concentration, cable system ownership has led to their inability to gain access to large cable systems. Programmers have found many sympathetic ears in congress and at the commission. From the least access system established by the 1984 cable act in the Program Carriage act 2011e 1992 act to the carriage rules to the further carriage requirements of mergers, there have been numerous legislative and regulatory temps to address the challenges faced by independent programmers for many different angles. The technology has changed since the debate began but the arguments have not changed substantially. We are not living in an age of 1000 channel lineups and many seeking a different structure are rapidly developing overthetop programming of linear and other programming. Degreesing modified to on devices. The world has brought us explosive growth in terms of the sheer number of potential platforms for content. It is interesting that access to the old network is still considered a major issue. The that debate, it seems more things change the more they stay the same. Serve this item is not the beginning, what is . One of you have interest and have not been able to read the document yet. It should not come as a spoiler to say we are beginning with a more accurate description of the latest regulator push. Rolling out the question to give a platform or dialogue. Slanted inraph was the direction of that push. I appreciate the many edits that the commissioner and i submitted that were adopted so i appreciate the work of the majority in adopting our changes. It allows me to concur with this item. Ultimately, i hope these edits will give a start into looking at the territory. Thank you, commissioner. I have a statement for the record. Let us begin by thanking commissioner clyburn for being the advocate that is the reason why it is on the agenda today for all of your leadership. A simple issue of how do we expand diversity of choice and opportunity that goes handinhand with the next item we will be discussing, settype settop boxes. Those in favor say aye. Have it. The privilege is granted with objection noted. Thank you very much to the bureau for all of your efforts on this. Adam secretary . Madam secretary the next item on the agenda will be presented by the media bureau. It is called expanding navigation. Bill and martha, some things just never change, do they . Present we [indiscernible] these roles are intended to meet the commissions obligations under section 629 of the Communications Act. Joining me or martha heller, linda murray, and lyle elder of the policy division and the chief technologist of the division. Brendan will present. Brendan we are pleased to present this note is that is keep theto availability of competitive sources of equipment used to Access Programming as the commission was direct it to do by section 620 nine. Directs the commission to adopt regulations to ensure commercial markets for devices and apps that can access video programming from sources provider, the paytv that is cable and satellite provider. It directs the commission to on tether consumers from the paytv settop box. To achieve this, we seek to offer three information flows using any published, transparent format that conforms to specifications set by open standards. These information flows will allow manufacturers and other companies not affiliated with an designd to divine programming under the same terms of use under wes the leased equipment can access the program. M. V. P. Dsproposal, can provide specific proposals. Theproposal gives mvpds freedom so they can assure all programming is protected and only those who subscribe to the service can access it, providing they each report at least one content on unreason reasonable, nondiscriminatory terms. This approach is intended to balance rights to choose content and protect programming with manufactures building devices that can access from a variety of mvpds. The mpr md proposes parity roles that would to also offervpd the three information flows to unaffiliated flows without the need for mvpdspecific equipment. With an eye to consumer protection, we seek to ensure childrens advertising limits, emergency alerts, and regardless uses ther the consumer settop box or an alternative. Sure consumerske understand exactly how much they will pay each month and what the economic tradeoff is between and theice device alternative. It a