SHVERA Streamlined

This year's model of the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act (SHVERA) remains on the fast track. The bill (HR 2994) passed unanimously in the House Communications, Technology & Internet Subcommittee Thursday with essentially no entangling amendments. A full committee markup will come later in the summer. House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Rick Boucher (D-VA) is sheparding the bill; he said broadcasters, satellite operators and other stakeholders are close to a deal, perhaps within days, to provide local-into-local service in all 210 markets. The bill remained straightforward, with no amendment offered by Rep. Mike Ross (D-Arkansas), who has for several years been pushing a bill that would allow cable and satellite operators to import adjacent-market signals.