Joined
·
6,970 Posts
EchoStar loses bid to offer local TV beyond market
WASHINGTON, May 20 (Reuters) - EchoStar Communications Corp. (NasdaqNM
ISH - News) lost a bid to broadcast a local television channel beyond that market when the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear the satellite television provider's appeal of a lower court ruling.
ADVERTISEMENT
A federal appeals court last September upheld a federal law that restricts the broadcast of local, over-the-air television stations to its home market, but the No. 2 U.S. satellite television provider argued the law violated free speech rights.
Without comment or dissent, the Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal. The suit was against Viacom Inc.'s (NYSE:VIAb - News) CBS Broadcasting Inc., which did not even file a brief opposing Echostar's appeal.
EchoStar argued that viewers should be able to choose the local TV channels they want to watch, just as they may select subscriptions to various newspapers from around the country.
The company is seeking permission from federal regulators to acquire its bigger satellite television rival, DirecTV, and its parent Hughes Electronics (NYSE:GMH - News), but faces skepticism from communications regulators and significant opposition from local television broadcasters.
WASHINGTON, May 20 (Reuters) - EchoStar Communications Corp. (NasdaqNM
ADVERTISEMENT
A federal appeals court last September upheld a federal law that restricts the broadcast of local, over-the-air television stations to its home market, but the No. 2 U.S. satellite television provider argued the law violated free speech rights.
Without comment or dissent, the Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal. The suit was against Viacom Inc.'s (NYSE:VIAb - News) CBS Broadcasting Inc., which did not even file a brief opposing Echostar's appeal.
EchoStar argued that viewers should be able to choose the local TV channels they want to watch, just as they may select subscriptions to various newspapers from around the country.
The company is seeking permission from federal regulators to acquire its bigger satellite television rival, DirecTV, and its parent Hughes Electronics (NYSE:GMH - News), but faces skepticism from communications regulators and significant opposition from local television broadcasters.