Stupak Stumps For Satellite Local Station Carriage
Bill Mandates Providers Would Have To Transmit All Stations In All 210 DMAs
John Eggerton -- Multichannel News, 2/10/2009 1:34:30 PM
Rep. Bart Stupak (D.Mich.) has proposed requiring satellite companies to carry all local TV station signals in every market.
Currently, cable operators are under a carry one-carry all requirement, meaning that they must carry all local TV stations in a market, if they elect to distribute any of them.
Stupak, a member of the House Communications, Technology & Internet Subcommittee, has introduced H.R. 927, the Satellite Consumers' Right to Local Channels Act, which he says would insure rural markets -- which boast a large percentage of satellite homes -- have access to their local TV stations via satellite.
Stupak pointed out that currently there are 31 markets--out of 210 nationwide--where DirecTV and Dish Network don't transmit local stations.
He also pointed out that two of those 31 markets, Alpena and Marquette, are in his district.
"Without their local channels, millions of rural Americans are denied access to critical emergency alerts and local content such as sporting events and news broadcasts, hed said in a statement.
"We support Congressman Stupak's effort and look foward to working with them," said National Association of Broadcasters spokesman Dennis Wharton.
The bill would give satellite operators one year from passage to serve all markets.
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I live in Seattle Washington, Dish Network is still working through a contract with KIRO television (an ABC affiliate). I can't see requiring local programming when providers like DirecTv or Dish Network have to deal with contracts from local carriers. Now if he required local carriers to provide their programming to providers, that might change the story... but as is, it's dead before reaching committee meetings.
RLouden - 2/10/2009 10:30:03 AM EST -
They will run Dish Network, SKY and DirecTV into the ground with this passage. It is time for satellite to get out of this spotbeam business. The Democrats and MR. Stupak, Have no idea what is happen. DirecTV hd and Dish Network hd have a plug in for off air operation by antenna. So, make this issue clear to congress, that lip sync problem have been happening on DirecTV. Amd must carry is not as good for broadcast over satellite. There will be pale color quality or lip sync,mouth sync.
Thomas Ingram - 2/10/2009 8:58:01 AM EST
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