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·At least two companies have approached the Federal Communications Commission asking the agency to provide DBS spectrum to competing satellite TV entities if the government approves the pending merger between EchoStar and DirecTV.
The newest entry seeking DBS spectrum is R/L DBS, a DBS licensee at 61.5 degrees controlled by New York area MSO Cablevision. In a filing at the FCC, R/L DBS said, "Given the impact of the proposed merger and the potential strength of the merged entity, a greater allocation of spectrum at 61.5 degrees to R/L DBS would facilitate the development by (the company) of a more robust product offering."
R/L DBS said it plans to dedicate a majority of its current DBS frequencies to local programming - possibly up to 148 DMAs. "Consequently, given the limited number of remaining frequencies that can be used for national programming, the 'out-of-spot' national program offerings of R/L DBS - those that will be available to many of the rural markets that are the topic of concern among merger commenters - will be limited," the company said in its defense of obtaining more spectrum.
Earlier in the month, WSNet told the FCC that the agency could approve the merger with conditions, including providing the Texas-based company with permanent access to satellite facilities "so that rural consumers may be provided with a viable alternative." Those satellite facilities include one or more of the orbital DBS slots that would come under the control of the merged company should the merger be consummated, WSNet said.
From SkyReport (Used with permission)
The newest entry seeking DBS spectrum is R/L DBS, a DBS licensee at 61.5 degrees controlled by New York area MSO Cablevision. In a filing at the FCC, R/L DBS said, "Given the impact of the proposed merger and the potential strength of the merged entity, a greater allocation of spectrum at 61.5 degrees to R/L DBS would facilitate the development by (the company) of a more robust product offering."
R/L DBS said it plans to dedicate a majority of its current DBS frequencies to local programming - possibly up to 148 DMAs. "Consequently, given the limited number of remaining frequencies that can be used for national programming, the 'out-of-spot' national program offerings of R/L DBS - those that will be available to many of the rural markets that are the topic of concern among merger commenters - will be limited," the company said in its defense of obtaining more spectrum.
Earlier in the month, WSNet told the FCC that the agency could approve the merger with conditions, including providing the Texas-based company with permanent access to satellite facilities "so that rural consumers may be provided with a viable alternative." Those satellite facilities include one or more of the orbital DBS slots that would come under the control of the merged company should the merger be consummated, WSNet said.
From SkyReport (Used with permission)
