Legislators Ask FCC to Intervene in Sinclair-Mediacom Dispute
Iowa and Alabama lawmakers fear retrans impasse will disrupt college bowl broadcasts if commission does not step in
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/22/2009 10:12:01 PM
Related: Kerry: Retrans Impasse Must Not Interrupt Football
Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa) called FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski Dec. 22 to encourage him to step in to keep Sinclair Broadcast Group's signals on Mediacom systems if the two do not resolve their retransmission consent dispute by Dec. 31.
In particular, Loebsack is concerned that his constituents with cable could lose access to
Fox affiliate KFXA in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which is carrying the Orange Bowl Jan. 5 between the Iowa Hawkeyes and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
According to a statement from the Congressman's office, Loebsack encouraged Genachowski "to help protect the interests of Iowans." The FCC has yet to act on an emergency petition filed by Mediacom for interim carriage while the FCC considers its retransmission consent complaint against Sinclair for allegedly not negotiating in good faith.
Loebsack wrote the commission last month as part of the Iowa congressional delegation saying that up to 1 million Iowans would "lose access" to key stations, though there is still the option of over-the-air reception.
Loebsack was not the only legislator weighing in on the issue. In a letter to the chairman dated Dec. 22, Alabama Republican Senators Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby and Alabama Republican Rep. Jo Bonner pointed out that "thousands" of Alabama fans might not get to see the Bowl Championship game between Alabama and Texas on Jan. 7. They said they were not taking sides in the dispute, but also said it was imperative that the FCC step in to prevent the Sinclair signal from exiting Mediacom systems, which by contract will happen Dec. 31 if a deal is not reached.
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I'm pleased to see this story because it lets me know that stupid Dave Loebsack is in trouble. That he would stoop to intervene in a squabble of this sort means that he is short of votes for re-election in 2010 and he hopes to pick up a few this way.
My prediction: It won't work. Giving Iowa taxpayers the Orange Bowl on television isn't enough to make up for shoving the TARP bailout package down our throats when we were 100-to-1 against it. To hell with the Orange Bowl! Fire Dave Loebsack!
Jimmy Montague - 12/23/2009 5:16:19 PM EST -
The Orange Bowl game is on Fox, not CBS. Sinclair owns KFXA/Fox 28 in Cedar Rapids.
Why are Alabama viewers affected? ABC will have the BCS Championship Game (Alabama vs. Texas) on January 7 -- and Sinclair owns ABC affiliate WEAR-3 in nearby Pensacola.
Charles Everett - 12/23/2009 12:41:26 PM EST -
Notice the letters "K-G-A-N" in there..that indicates that it is an over-the-air BROADCAST station.
So, "Alabamans" are not going to lose their game, only "ALABAMA MEDIACOM SUBSCRIBERS" are going to miss the game.
If the congressman is so concerned, he should stockpile some TV antennas at his office, and give them away as "Emergency Relief Supplies".
Ken English - 12/23/2009 11:04:26 AM EST -
If the Bushies didn't push a bill through to allow Sinclair to own more than one station per area,TV and/or radio, our legislators might not have to ask for the FCC intervention.
A P Thompson - 12/23/2009 8:18:29 AM EST -
I am a Media Com customer and am on the side of Sinclair. I hope they do not renew the contract. I will still find a fay to watch the Orange bowl and am OK and even agree with the fact they do not want to renew the contract. I think the congress men should stay out of it. They are looking for votes and that is the reason they are weighing in on this. One football game is not enough reason for them to get involved. We are all big boys and girls and can figure out a work around!
TMurray - 12/23/2009 12:29:25 AM EST
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