FCC Takes Steps Toward Expanding Satellite Broadcast

  • February 8, 2005
The Federal Communications Commission today released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that continues the implementation of the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act of 2004, otherwise known as SHVERA. The notice kicks off the proceeding that enables satellite carriers to offer FCC-determined "significantly viewed" signals of out-of-market broadcast stations to subscribers.

The FCC's rules relating to carriage of significantly viewed signals have been applied to the cable industry for more than 30 years, and the SHVERA bill applies those rules to satellite providers. In addition, the FCC's notice proposes several other rules required by the SHVERA, including establishing subscriber eligibility to receive the significantly viewed signals and satellite carrier responsibilities. --D.K.

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