House lawmakers took the wraps off legislation aimed at reauthorizing the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act (SHVIA), which includes a proposed mandate requiring satellite TV companies to deliver local TV to consumers via a single dish.
The legislation, introduced in the House Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee during a hearing Thursday, took aim at EchoStar's DISH Network and its offering of a number of local TV channels via a second dish for a select set of markets. The bill would give satellite TV companies deadlines to place local TV channels delivered to consumers on a single dish, but it doesn't prevent the companies from delivering other types of programming via a second dish.
Several lawmakers offered support for the single-dish/locals item, including Rep. Charles Gonzalez (D-Texas). Gonzales said a number of stations in his home state are put on a second dish, including Spanish-language channels and programming aimed at Hispanic audiences.
Representatives of the broadcast community testifying before the subcommittee also voiced support for the proposed mandate.
David Moskowitz, senior vice president and general counsel at EchoStar, defended the use of a second dish for delivery of locals, saying the practice puts scarce spectrum to maximum use and allows the company to deliver local TV to a large number of markets. He also emphasized to the panel that the second dish and installation are free to consumers, and channels received on a second dish are delivered completely transparent to the viewer.
Draft House legislation for the satellite TV law renewal also includes a mandate to modify and improve the testing and waiver process for determining availability of off-air local TV channels, used to figure out eligibility for distant network signals. The draft also provides an extension of the statutory license allowing satellite TV to deliver distant network programming, though those testifying for the satellite TV business and lawmakers suggested that satellite TV should be given a permanent license for the service.
http://www.skyreport.com (Used with permission)
The legislation, introduced in the House Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee during a hearing Thursday, took aim at EchoStar's DISH Network and its offering of a number of local TV channels via a second dish for a select set of markets. The bill would give satellite TV companies deadlines to place local TV channels delivered to consumers on a single dish, but it doesn't prevent the companies from delivering other types of programming via a second dish.
Several lawmakers offered support for the single-dish/locals item, including Rep. Charles Gonzalez (D-Texas). Gonzales said a number of stations in his home state are put on a second dish, including Spanish-language channels and programming aimed at Hispanic audiences.
Representatives of the broadcast community testifying before the subcommittee also voiced support for the proposed mandate.
David Moskowitz, senior vice president and general counsel at EchoStar, defended the use of a second dish for delivery of locals, saying the practice puts scarce spectrum to maximum use and allows the company to deliver local TV to a large number of markets. He also emphasized to the panel that the second dish and installation are free to consumers, and channels received on a second dish are delivered completely transparent to the viewer.
Draft House legislation for the satellite TV law renewal also includes a mandate to modify and improve the testing and waiver process for determining availability of off-air local TV channels, used to figure out eligibility for distant network signals. The draft also provides an extension of the statutory license allowing satellite TV to deliver distant network programming, though those testifying for the satellite TV business and lawmakers suggested that satellite TV should be given a permanent license for the service.
http://www.skyreport.com (Used with permission)