NAB Won't Oppose House Version of STELA

The National Association of Broadcasters does not oppose the House version of the bill reauthorizing the satellite compulsory license (formerly STELA, now STELAR), which is expected to come to the House floor for a vote.

In Washington parlance, that is a concurrence rather than a yes vote. NAB spokesman Dennis Wharton said the association's position was unchanged from when the bill was passed out of the House Commerce Committee. At that time, NAB said it had concerns -- still does -- but that there was "much to be applauded."

The bill would prohibit coordinated retransmission consent among non-commonly owned TV stations in a market, which cable operators had pushed for, but does not include a provision removing the must-buy provision for retransmission stations, which cable operators had also pushed for, and gotten, in an initial draft.