This brief statement was submitted by MA to the House Judiciary Committee asking for full broadcast access on the lowest-priced cable system tiers.
The House Judiciary Committee will be debating the reauthorization of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA) as part of their hearing today, May 8, on the Compulsory Video License of Title 17. The following statement can be attributed to Tracy Rosenberg, Executive Director, Media Alliance.
“We are deeply concerned with the legislative add-on being proposed by pay-TV providers to eliminate the lifeline “basic service tier” provision as part of the reauthorization of STELA. This is an important provision for millions of U.S households and requires cable operators to offer customers the full complement of broadcast TV stations at the most affordable rate. These local TV stations relay important public safety information, severe weather warnings, and regional news that are indispensable and irreplaceable in local communities. Affordability remains a key concern for many consumers and removing this local TV access will only raise already high-cable bills and, in essence, restrict access for many price-sensitive populations, including low-income households, seniors and minority communities.”
“On behalf of the communities we represent nationwide, Media Alliance urges the House Judiciary Committee to preserve local TV access for consumers on cable’s lifeline “basic service tier.”