New rules could let people bypass the cable box

Customers might soon have more options for a cable box than renting one from the cable company. The Federal Communications Commission has a plan to make cable companies provide apps that could be used on devices made by tech companies such as Roku or Apple. The FCC says the new rules mean more choices and will make it easier for consumers to search for and find video they want. The agency’s January proposal was opposed by the television and cable industries, criticized by the U.S. Copyright Office and dozens of lawmakers. A revised plan released Thursday adopts some cable industry suggestions. The FCC’s five commissioners will vote on the plan this month. If approved, most cable customers could choose another device to watch cable within two years.