Chris Blount
05-25-04, 06:46 AM
Since being installed as president of the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association in March, Richard DalBello hasn't escaped talk surrounding renewal of key satellite TV industry legislation.
DalBello has been vocal about concerns he and the satellite TV business has with reauthorization of the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act (SHVIA). For DalBello, one of the biggest issues for SHVIA renewal so far has been changes - and a possible hike - in royalty rates satellite TV pays for carriage of superstation and distant networks programming.
But DalBello also said he's closely watching other distractions in the SHVIA debate, such as a la carte. At one point, SHVIA reauthorization was targeted for an amendment that would've opened the floodgates on program choice for consumers, but lawmakers dropped the amendment.
"The biggest issue becomes if SHVIA becomes a Christmas tree for other amendments," DalBello told SkyREPORT. "It gets complicated if additional things happen to it."
If additional items get attached to SHVIA renewal legislation, then it becomes more likely any bill would become a straight-forward, short-term reauthorization, DalBello said.
In addition to "managing" SHVIA issues, DalBello said he's focused on two other key internal items as the newly-installed SBCA president: Building the association's staff, and growing SBCA's government affairs presence.
And DalBello said he's going to spread the word about what other satellite technologies can do for consumers, especially emerging new products. "We're also excited about satellite radio and its potential, as well as WildBlue and satellite broadband," he said.
http://www.skyreport.com (Used with permission)
DalBello has been vocal about concerns he and the satellite TV business has with reauthorization of the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act (SHVIA). For DalBello, one of the biggest issues for SHVIA renewal so far has been changes - and a possible hike - in royalty rates satellite TV pays for carriage of superstation and distant networks programming.
But DalBello also said he's closely watching other distractions in the SHVIA debate, such as a la carte. At one point, SHVIA reauthorization was targeted for an amendment that would've opened the floodgates on program choice for consumers, but lawmakers dropped the amendment.
"The biggest issue becomes if SHVIA becomes a Christmas tree for other amendments," DalBello told SkyREPORT. "It gets complicated if additional things happen to it."
If additional items get attached to SHVIA renewal legislation, then it becomes more likely any bill would become a straight-forward, short-term reauthorization, DalBello said.
In addition to "managing" SHVIA issues, DalBello said he's focused on two other key internal items as the newly-installed SBCA president: Building the association's staff, and growing SBCA's government affairs presence.
And DalBello said he's going to spread the word about what other satellite technologies can do for consumers, especially emerging new products. "We're also excited about satellite radio and its potential, as well as WildBlue and satellite broadband," he said.
http://www.skyreport.com (Used with permission)