Earlier this week, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler proposed a far reaching rule change (detailed in this blog post) that would level the playing field and give non-traditional video suppliers access to programming that is currently only available to cable and satellite providers.

Back in 1992, the satellite TV industry was new and floundering because they didn’t have access to the same programming is the cable companies. In response, the FCC passed the Communications Act.

In Title VI of the Communications Act, Congress created rules to ensure that cable companies that own video content can’t raise artificial barriers to competition by refusing to let their video competitors have access to the programming they own. That worked for satellite providers, and also helped telephone companies entering the video business.

The new rule would allow companies that distribute TV/cable programming over the internet, so-called over-the-top suppliers (OTTs), access to that same programming. And that’s where Apple could come in. In this excellent piece for Seeking Alpha (free reg wall), Mark Hibben writes:

Wheeler’s proposal is a recognition of a simple fact: the Internet is the future of content delivery, any content, including video. Wheeler recognizes that most cable companies have become high-speed Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and many are converting to Internet Protocol delivery of their video content as well.

How is this over the top distribution different from Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox, and other plug-in devices that put web-enabled programming on your TV? There’s this:

iTunes could become a central hub for all iOS content, able to stream purchased, rented, subscription and “free” network TV content. All it takes is infrastructure, and Apple has plenty of that, and the capability to build and acquire more. Under this scenario, you would be able to watch a live TV event, such as the Super Bowl, anywhere on your iPhone or iPad. For a nominal fee, of course.

And this:

I think Apple still needs a discriminator to set it apart from the pack of Internet-connected smart TVs. The most important discriminator that Apple can offer is some enhanced level of iOS capability. Of course, Apple TV and any future Apple television will be based on iOS, but future Apple television products need to offer greater access to iOS apps and games than the current Apple TV does.

There’s a lot to chew on in this FCC blog post. The new rule change needs to be fleshed out and the terms clarified. But no matter how it plays out, this seems a huge opportunity for Apple and a boon to consumers.