No more exclusive contracts for Comcast...

A victory for free and open trade comes from Washington. The FCC has banned exclusive agreements between cable television providers and apartment buildings, allowing open competition for the service of the residents. It's a great success for consumers. Now, what about that exclusive agreement between the NFL and DirectTV over NFL's Sunday Ticekt? If it's not okay to restrict choice via exclusive agreements between cable providers and apartment complexes, why is it okay to restrict choice via exclusive agreements between satellite providers and the NFL?

FCC OKs Cable Competition for Apartments
Federal Regulators Approve Ban on Exclusive Cable TV Contracts With Apartment Buildings
ABC News

Federal regulators on Wednesday approved a rule that would ban exclusive agreements that cable television operators have with apartment buildings, opening up competition for other video providers that could eventually lead to lower prices.

The Federal Communications Commission unanimously approved the change, which Chairman Kevin martin said would help lower cable rates for millions of subscribers who live in apartment buildings and other multi-unit dwellings, or about 25 million households. He said the move would particularly help minorities who disproportionately live in multi-unit dwellings.

The rule would prohibit cable companies, such as Comcast Corp. and Time Warner Cable Inc., from enforcing existing exclusive cable TV contracts with apartment managers and allow telecommunications companies, such as Verizon Communications Inc. and AT&T Inc., to offer video services along with high-speed Internet access and phone service.

The cable industry, which had previously said it is unlawful for the government to invalidate existing contracts, said the deals provide apartment residents with better pricing and service.