Loebsack Criticizes STELA's Distant Signal Provision Ahead of House Communications Hearing
Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa, is the latest lawmaker to raise concerns (see 1905130061) about the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act's distant signal statutory license provision. House Communications holds a STELA-reauthorization focused hearing Tuesday (see 1905280061). Witnesses are likely to…
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include NAB CEO Gordon Smith and officials from AT&T and Public Knowledge, lobbyists said. NAB, which opposes STELA recertification, publicized Loebsack's letter Friday. Loebsack wrote leaders of the House Commerce and Judiciary committees on the distant signals license, citing the 12 media markets where AT&T's DirecTV subsidiary provides limited or no access to locally broadcasted networks' stations. Among the affected are the Ottumwa, Iowa-Kirksville, Missouri, market, which includes Loebsack's district. AT&T says the 12 markets have access to local stations' terrestrial signals. “There is no technological reason for this slight as” Dish offers access to local stations in all 210 media markets, while DirecTV “has elected to continue to use the distant signal license in my district and offer my constituents distant signal programming from outside their local” market, Loebsack said.