Multichannel News is reporting that Time Warner and other cable operators want the FCC to enact retrans reform. This follows all those recent retrans battles which consumers have to keep enduring. But why the cable providers think the FCC will be on their side is a mystery to me. On the other hand, there's no guarantee that the FCC will be on the side of the Big Media programmers, either. I've said it before and I'll say it again: only the consumers reliably lose in these battles as their cable bills keep soaring no matter who blinks first.

"Time Warner Cable is expected to file a petition at the FCC atop a coalition of cable operators and others asking the FCC to reform the retransmission consent process. According to sources, the petition is asking for independent arbitration during retrans disputes and interim carriage during that arbitration... The American Cable Association, which represents small and mid-sized operators, confirmed that it had signed on to the petition." Also said to either be considering signing on to the petition or already on it are Dish Network, DirecTV, Verizon, Mediacom, Charter and Public Knowledge.

A Time Warner spokesperson would not discuss the substance of the petition, but did confirm that it is filing the document this week. The suggested remedies in the petition raise some of the ideas the FCC should consider.