PORTLAND, Maine — A federal judge is considering a request to put on hold a Maine law requiring cable companies to offer channels on an a la carte basis.
Comcast, joined by Disney, Fox Cable and NBC/Universal, is seeking a temporary restraining order to delay the law. The Portland Press Herald reports that District Judge Nancy Torreson didn't provide a timetable for her ruling after hearing arguments on Friday.
The state law requiring cable companies to offer channels individually, or a la carte, took effect in September. Comcast contends enforcement of the law would mean limited choices and higher prices than the current packages it offers to consumers.
The law's independent sponsor, Rep. Jeff Evangelos, says TV viewers complain about paying for unwanted channels.
The FCC said its commission rulings haven't addressed state laws requiring a la carte cable TV.
Cable companies are feeling stress on their business all over the place. That includes people cutting the cord.
The newspaper reports that Maine would become the first state in the country to require a la carte cable selections if the law is upheld.
NEWS CENTER Maine erroneously reported that Spectrum was part of the lawsuit; they are not. We connected two stories with different topics that should not have been connected. Spectrum was not involved in this case in any way.