If #Unlockthebox rules are adopted, pay-tv consumers won't have to rent a set-top box to watch programming they already pay for. — The FCC (@FCC) September 28, 2016

Even with the vote tabled for now, a statement from Chairman Wheeler and two other commissioners said the proposal has made "tremendous progress" towards eliminating costly set-top boxes. "We share the goal of creating a more innovative and inexpensive market for these consumer devices," the statement said. "We are still working to resolve the remaining technical and legal issues and we are committed to unlocking the set-top box for consumers across this country."

So: the delay does not spell doom for our dreams of a cleaner home entertainment system, one free from the tyranny of clunky cable box interfaces -- we'll just have to wait a little longer to get there. The Commission notes that the proposal will remain under consideration while the commissioners work out these technical and legal issues.