SENATE Commerce Tackles STELA

Unlike House’s STELA effort (Rep Greg Walden’ s amended bill that has several video reform provisions already moved to the floor), it’s still uncertain which direction the Senate would go on THE reauthorization of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act. That said, Senate Commerce chmn J ay Rockefeller (D-WV) isn’t afraid of doing video reforms as part of the renewal. "Although the final path for the STELA reauthorization has not been determined, one of the things that I have learned from my tenure is that the Committee should seize the opportunities that present themselves, not take a pass for another day. That future day may not come," he said during the committee hearing Tues. Meanwhile, committee members seemed interested in the impact of the FCC‘s JSA order on broadcasters. NAB pres/CEO Gordon Smith blasted the order, saying it’s unfair for the broadcasters and will hurt investments. In addition, ranking member John Thune (R-SD) asked about the must-carry requirement, a provision that’s originally in Walden’s bill but was cut due to strong opposition from the broadcasters. "The added legal obligation imposed on cable operators to carry such stations as part of a government-required basic tier is not only duplicative, but is also unfair given the lack of a similar legal obligation imposed on non-cable MVPDs," NCTA head Michael Powell said. Smith reminded the requirement was put in so consumers can access public-safety programming.