Boucher Weighs In On Satellite TV Law
In the recently ignited congressional debate over whether and how to streamline copyright licensing for satellite transmission of broadcast television programs, one key lawmaker wants to emphasize that "harmonization for harmonization sake has never made a whole lot of sense." House Energy and Commerce Communications Subcommittee Chairman Rick Boucher, D-Va., believes that there are key differences between cable and satellite systems and lawmakers should carefully weigh calls to unify the platforms' statutory language. "We ought to look at the differences and to the extent that different treatments are still called for on account of those differences, resist harmonization for harmonization sake," Boucher said in a Wednesday interview.
Two major questions before his subcommittee as they reauthorize the Satellite Home Viewer Act are whether satellite providers should offer local service to all 210 market areas nationwide and whether there should be a general rule for signals where market areas straddle state lines, Boucher said. About 30 markets lack local-to-local coverage entirely, many of which are rural areas like Boucher's own district. A fairly non-controversial item is moving language that pertains to significantly viewed channels from one section of copyright law (Sec. 119) to another (Sec. 122), which covers local-into-local service. "I think there's uniform agreement that we should make that change," Boucher said.
Read more about potential complications in the Satellite Home Viewer Act reauthorization efforts in Thursday's CongressDaily AM Edition (subscription required).
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