The US Federal Communications Commission has set a cap of 30 percent on the nationwide subscriber market share for cable TV providers. The new rule is expected to promote video programming diversity by ensuring new providers can enter and compete in the video market. The 30 percent limit, set first in 1993 and modified in 1999, was challenged by Time Warner in 2001. The DC Circuit Court then sent it back to the FCC seeking further justification and the regulator has now restored the limit. The FCC is also starting a consultation on setting a "vertical" limit, on the number of channels a cable operator may devote to its affiliated programming networks. The new rules are expected to also apply to telecom operators offering TV services.
