Boucher: Broadband Deployment Will Be Priority
Will push for requiring satellite companies to carry all local TV stations
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/12/2009 6:10:30 PM
House Communications, Technology & Internet Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA) says that broadband deployment will be his priority as head of the subcommittee, and will push for requiring satellite companies to carry all local TV stations.
"I think most importantly for the nation, for revival of our economy and also for the long-term economic success of the entire country, deploying broadband much more comprehensively," [would be his overriding goal].
He said the good news is that the stimulus package contains about $6.9 billion for broadband deployment.
He said that for the sake of the economy, the country needs to increase broadband deployment, particularly in rural areas (like his own Virginia district).
Boucher said his first hearing as chairman would be on reauthorization of the Satellite Home Viewer Act, which allows satellite companies to import distant network signals to viewers who cannot receive a similar local signal.
Boucher said that, as part of that reauthorization, he would like to require that satellite operators carry local TV stations in all markets, including the 30, mostly rural, markets (including one in Boucher's district), where satellite operators do not carry the local stations.
Unlike cable operators, Dish and DirecTV do not have a must-carry mandate for local stations, though they must carry all stations in a market where they chose to carry any (carry one, carry all). Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) has recently introduced a bill that would mandate satellite carriage of local TV stations in every market, including the two such markets in his district that currently don't get those stations.
Boucher, speaking for an interview with C-SPAN's Communicators series, said another major goal will be overseeing the DTV transition, saying he had been in contact with acting FCC Chairman Michael Copps about "how we will manage this process."
Boucher, who managed the Democrat's side of the floor debate on the bill to move the DTV date from Feb. 17 to June 12, said he was "confident" it would be a "smooth and seamless" transition. Copps, by contrast, has predicted inevitable "dislocation and confusion."
He also said he would be overseeing the National Telecommunications & Information Administration and Rural Develpoment Agency as they hand out the broadband grant money in the economic stimulus package, which is expected to be passed next week.
Boucher said he understood from the outset that the NTIA's coupon box subsidy program was underfunded, and that the $650 million in the stimulus package should help get the coupons flowing again--"we think that backlog is going to be cleared up rather promptly," he said--and help the FCC fund call centers. He said the call centers were crucial to the transition since "across a lot of America we will have a complete absence of technical assistance for people to diagnose any kind of reception problems."
Boucher has long pushed for a technical assistance component to the transition to deal with antenna issues. That is both a general concern and one specific to his mountainous southwestern Virginia district.
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This is an idea that is very timely. As DTV rolls out it is inevitable some rural folks will be smack dab in the cliff effect area of their local signals. Why should Idaho, Montana , Vermont Upper Maine etc. not have their local stations ??
Also the definition of local should be expanded to include Class A TVs and also newly qualifying LPTVs
for SHIVA carriage. Satelitte can only enhance it's image & sub base.
The old adage we have no new capacity is tired & irrelevant.
I applaud Rep. Boucher for his idea. Now let's stand up to the hard line lobbyist & get this done.
Dan
Dan Viles - 2/13/2009 3:25:39 AM EST -
Also, to add. The democrats have nothing better to do, then to pick on DirecTV, Dish network and Sky satellite tv. Sure enough, democrats will do more then pick on satellite radio and DVR. The rebroadcast of Hi definition local must carry one or carry them all, for MPEG 4 take's up 2 or 3 transponder/spotbeam's for each city.
A THING TO NOTE! DirecTV and Dish Network provide a plug in for free off air tuning. It maybe unnecessary for such legislation. HR 927 S.H.V.I.A. CARRY 1, CARRY ALL. Remember, ABC AND NBC complained about DVR fast forward function. TIVO is the leader to fast-forward DVR. ABC, NBC, AND MOVIE actors had a issue with DVR AND DVD recorders. Blue Ray recorders by Sony our coming out.
Thomas Ingram - 2/12/2009 3:46:20 PM EST -
Now all congress needs to do is introduce satellite radio legislation and DVR legislation. And then things around hear will be regulated. National Association Broadcasters will agree to regulated communications. Set a date and you end up buying space for more wasted bandwidth.
Thomas Ingram - 2/12/2009 3:31:07 PM EST
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