FCC Chief May Not Have Votes to Curb Cable

FCC chief Kevin Martin may not have the votes he needs to initiate regulation of the cable industry, reports the New York Times. Martin has scheduled a vote for tomorrow to approve a formal finding that the cable industry has grown too big, which would give the commission power to step in. Democrat Jonathan Adelstein, one of the commission's five members, has switched sides, saying more time is needed before the vote.

“There is a manic attempt to finish an aggressive number of controversial decisions on short notice,” says Adelstein. Groups in favor of regulation suspect Adelstein of being “more friendly to cable companies than he will admit,” said a consumer advocate. Lobbying has been intense since Martin signaled his intention to support the finding earlier this month. (More Kevin Martin stories.)