DISH Formally Asks to Get Back into Distant-Signal Business

FCC says satellite operator has affirmed it has initiated service in remaining markets that did not receive a viewable signal

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 6/30/2010 9:50:56 PM

The FCC has received DISH Network's request to start delivering distant network-affiliated TV station signals.

As part of STELA, the legislation reathorizing the blanket copyright license covering that distant-signal importation, DISH was allowed to re-enter that business subject to delivering local TV signals into the remaining dozen-and-a-half markets that did not get them.

According to the FCC, DISH has affirmed that it has initiated service in all 210 markets per a voluntary agreement.

DISH had been barred by a court from the distant signal business after a finding that it was not accurately identifying what subscribers were not receiving a viewable signal from a local affiliate, and thus qualitified for receiving a comparable network affiliate imported from a different market.

The commission did not immediately give DISH the green light. STELA requires a 30-day comment period on DISH's request to become a certified distant-signal carrier, but also says the FCC has 90 days to either grant or deny the request.

In that time, the FCC says before it grants a waiver of the injunction, it must confirm that DISH is actually delivering the local signals to at least 90% of the households in each market.

Comments are due July 20; replies July 30.