Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn are backing broadcasters’ positions on key issues at play in the reauthorization of the Satellite Home Viewer Act which must be completed by January.
TAB and other industry groups have voiced opposition to DMA modification, distant signal importation that duplicates network programming already available in a DMA and efforts to restructure the retransmission consent process, among other issues.
Broadcasters also are pressing for universal local-into-local service and for TV stations’ multi-cast channels to be carried by DBS companies.
“Our Senators have listened very carefully to Texas broadcasters and they want a clean, smooth reauthorization of the bill that promotes the existing system of broadcast TV localism,” said TAB Vice President Oscar Rodriguez.
The Senate Commerce Committee, on which Hutchison serves, is drafting legislation this month.
The Senate Judiciary Committee, on which Cornyn serves, already has a draft.Both bills will be reconciled before advancing to the House.
