Texas Congressman Opposes Renewal of STELA Distant Signal License Language
Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Texas, became the latest lawmaker to urge House and Senate Commerce and Judiciary committees considering reauthorization of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act to allow at least the statute's distant signal license provision to sunset at…
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the end of 2019. NAB, which opposes STELA renewal, publicized Cloud's letters and here Friday. The distant signal provision “is preventing residents” in Victoria, Texas, in Cloud's district, “from receiving local weather, news, and alerts by providing multi-billion dollar satellite companies with the ability to import distant signals from places like New York City and Los Angeles,” he said. Congress' goal in creating the distant signal license in 1988 was to give “nascent” satellite companies “significantly discounted copyright license” so they could “compete with what were essentially cable monopolies.” The “rapid expansion of technological advances and market growth” meant satellite companies “are no longer in need of this subsidy,” Cloud said. Six senators also raised concerns about the underserved markets: John Barrasso, R-Wyo.; Michael Bennet, D-Colo.; Susan Collins, R-Maine; Mike Enzi, R-Wyo.; Angus King, I-Maine; and Jon Tester, D-Mont.