The Decreasing Chances of Telecom Reform

[Commentary] Passage of controversial communications reform legislation appears increasingly unlikely this year. And if the measure ends up on the towering junk heap of partially built law, TV broadcasters should count it as a blessing. The Senate version of the legislation has the potential for doing more harm than good for them. The legislation would permit unlicensed wireless devices in so-called “white spaces” between TV channels that broadcasters fear would create serious interference problems, and it would allow cable systems to degrade broadcasters’ DTV signals so that they could fit more channels on their systems. Plus, the so-called broadcast flag provision fails to protect news and public affairs content. That’s a serious issue for TV stations.