Sources: Judiciary Planning March 14 STELA Hearing

Expected to focus on government witnesses

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/26/2013 4:02:46 PM

According to sources, the House Judiciary Committee is teeing up a March 14 hearing on the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA).

A committee spokesperson had not comments, saying the committee does not notice hearings until a week before they are scheduled.

Judiciary divides jurisdiction over the reauthorization with the House Energy and Commerce Committee, whose Communications Subcommittee Feb. 13 last week held its first hearing on the law, which expires at the end of 2014. It featured a mix of government and industry stakeholders, including the FCC, DirecTV and broadcasters.

STELA provides for a blanket license so that satellite operators can important distant network signals without negotiating individually for carriage. Last time around the renewal was contentious and delayed past its expiration date.

No word on who the witnesses will be for the Judiciary hearing, but they are said to be government types.