When Localism Bites Back

WHEN LOCALISM BITES BACK
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The Federal Communications Commission says it is trying to fix the “infrequent but significant” problem that occurs when a TV station's market crosses state lines. In that case, FCC carriage rules may require carriage of an out-of-state station rather than one in a subscriber's own community. “Such cases may weaken localism,” the FCC argued in the order, “since viewers are often more likely to receive information of local interest and relevance -- particularly local weather and other emergency information, and local news and electoral and public affairs -- from a station in the state in which they live.” Station owners are worried the FCC could wipe out their protection against duplication of a network signal or syndicated programming exclusivity. They worry it could also weaken broadcasters' hand in retransmission consent negotiations across the country since a cable operator would have the fallback of importing a station from an adjacent market. That the FCC said it would launch a rulemaking proceeding rather than an inquiry added teeth to the perceived threat. Broadcasters have been increasingly asking for -- and getting -- cash for carriage from cable operators, helped by the rise in potential competitors for their product from telcos and Internet video delivery systems. According to one communications attorney who has warned his clients of the proposal: "This is scary as hell."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6534792.html