A Call for Action: FCC and Congress Share Concern for Retransmission Reform
It’s time policymakers put their words into actions
Washington D.C. July 11, 2012 – Congressional U.S. Congressman Charles Bass (R – NH) has joined the chorus of bipartisan lawmakers calling for retransmission consent reform. During yesterday’s House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology general oversight hearing with the FCC, Rep. Bass said it’s “essential the FCC complete its review” of these outdated regulations.
During the hearing, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski acknowledged his shared conern, but gave no timeline as to when these rules might finally be updated.
Even with an FCC issued notice for proposed rulemaking underway and lawmakers agreeing that reform is overdue, there’s been little headway in protecting consumers. The public has been waiting far too long for reform to still be faced with blackout threats and blackouts.
As Congressman Bass mentioned, just yesterday Hearst Television claimed its most recent consumer victims by knocking out nearly a dozen stations from coast to coast affecting millions of local viewers. How many more markets need to be blacked out for policymakers to realize the urgency behind retrans reform?
We’ve heard the FCC and Congress’ shared concern and couldn’t agree more – now it’s time to act! We urge policymakers to put a plan into motion to address outdated retrans regulations.
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The American Television Alliance (ATVA) brings together an unprecedented coalition of consumer groups, cable, satellite, telephone companies, and independent programmers to raise awareness about the risk viewers face as broadcasters increasingly threaten service disruptions that would deny viewers access to the programs they and their families enjoy.
For more information about ATVA, visit our website. Follow us on Twitter @ATVAlliance.
Media Contact:
Shivonne Foster, 202-973-2930