“The FCC is considering a change in the definition of a ‘multichannel video programming distributor’ that could make it a whole lot easier for Apple to compete against pay TV providers,” Sean Portnoy reports for ZDNet.

“While MVPDs to date have been limited to companies like Comcast, DirecTV and Verizon, the commission is mulling whether online companies like Hulu or Netflix could fall under that definition,” Portnoy reports. “The importance of being an MVPD is that such firms have the right to be able to distribute certain programming that they would otherwise have to negotiate separate contracts for.”

Portnoy reports, “The ultimate ruling could play a huge factor in what Apple could deliver in addition to a new television set, which is already rumored to be in pilot production. Rather than going to each channel and attempting to negotiate — or, according to some, bully — it into a deal for programming, Apple could just offer a slew of channels like any cable provider.”

Read more in the full article here.

[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader "Brawndo Drinker" for the heads up.]