House Judiciary Wades Into STELA

The House Commerce Committee passed the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA) on a bipartisan vote, but that doesn't mean the legislation is done in the House.

The Judiciary Committee, which shares jurisdiction, held a hearing on compulsory cable and satellite licenses, including those in STELA, only hours after that vote, and it was clear cable, satellite, and broadcast representatives would get another venue to pitch their positions.

Retransmission blackouts were a hot topic of discussion among some concerned lawmakers, as were orphan counties -- where viewers can't get in-state news or sports or weather because of gerrymandered DMAs that put them in the market of another state. Cable operators -- represented by American Cable Association President Matt Polka -- would like to see more retransmission reforms than were in the STELA bill that passed in the E&C committee, though they were pleased with its provision preventing coordinated retransmission negotiations, while broadcasters were not happy with that provision.

Satellite operators, too, would like to see more retransmission muscle in the STELA bill that ultimately passes. Polka and Dish exec Stanton Dodge squared off with National Association of Broadcasters witness Marci Burdick at the STELA hearing, which was in the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet.