Broadcasters Say No To Importing Adjacent-Market Signals

Broadcasters and satellite TV operators continue to spar over proposals, backed by satellite companies, to allow for the importation of adjacent-market TV station signals to so-called split markets. Broadcasters argue it is unnecessary to fix the issue of importing news, weather and other local programming, and could upset the retransmission consent system by allowing satellite operators to play one station off another. The most recent letter was sent by the CBS and NBC affiliate associations to the lead legislators on the House and Senate committees overseeing the reauthorization of the bill that provides a blanket license for satellite operators to deliver distant TV station signals.