ACA, WTA Clash Over Accessible User Interface Deadline

The American Cable Association and WTA are at odds over the ability of small and mid-sized MVPDs to have affordable accessible user navigation guide interfaces by the Dec. 20, 2018, deadline. ACA commented, posted Tuesday in docket 12-108, that most IPTV providers should be able to provide audibly accessible program guides and menus through apps that work on mobile devices with screen-reading capabilities. WTA said ACA's options for small MVPDs are very expensive or don't let smaller MVPDs completely comply. Monday was the deadline for replies (see 1710310031). ACA doesn't expect to seek a delay of the compliance deadline. It said IPTV middleware platform vendors still are developing the apps, but it has no reason to think they won't be affordably available to IPTV providers by the deadline. WTA said TiVo's Quattro platform -- one ACA option -- could cost at least $100,000 for implementation across a small MVPD's network. WTA said some members operate legacy analog systems and won't be able to comply because of costs. It said action on the compliance deadline should reflect such market realities and "not force small MVPDs to end their video services."