And cable industry analyst Brett Sappington, of Parks Associates in Dallas, said that companies like Tivo already offer third-party cable set-top boxes, but few consumers purchase them.

“Many don’t even consider the option of buying a set-top box somewhere else,” Sappington said.

But Parks Associates estimates a third of US homes with broadband Internet access have purchased Internet video-streaming devices, so a box that could deliver both Internet video and cable TV might find an audience. 

From the article "FCC Plan Would Give Consumer Control Of Set-top Box" by Hiawatha Bray.