FTC backs DBS local-into-local. (Federal Trade Commission, direct broadcast satellite to offer local broadcast)(Brief Article)

Broadcasting & Cable, April, 1998 by Albiniak, Paige

Consumers will benefit from allowing direct broadcast satellite (DBS) companies to offer local broadcast signals in markets, the Federal Trade Commission told the U.S. Copyright Office last week. The agency also said that full mustcarry rules, which would force satellite broadcasters to carry all local stations in all markets they serve, should not apply to DBS.

"In contrast with franchised cable operators ... DBS operators lack market power now, and they are unlikely to acquire it in the near future," the FTC said in a statement. "In addition, must carry would have a disproportionate impact on the channel capacity of DBS operators." The FTC is the first significantally for DBS company EchoStar, which argues that federal law, fuzzy on these issues,...

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