Rep. Walden: Not So Fast On Retransmission Reform

House Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) made clear his opposition to an effort by the pay TV industry to win quick legislative reforms to water down the broadcast industry’s retransmission consent rights.

“A real update of the law should not be hastily slapped together for the benefit of a few players in the industry,” said Rep. Walden in a speech at the Hudson Institute. “A meaningful update of the Communications Act will require a … clearer understanding of the ramifications of any changes on the businesses involved and their consumers.” Rep. Walden, a former radio broadcaster, made clear his skepticism about the urgency of any need for retransmission consent reform. “The vast majority of retransmission consent agreements are revolved quietly, calmly and without incident,” he said.