As the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010 heads to the President for his signature, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today applauded the inclusion in the new law of a measure she fought for during Senate consideration of the bill. Specifically, because of McCaskill’s efforts, the legislation will provide satellite television users with access to local channels in all designated markets. Previously, many rural communities could not get their local tv channels via satellite service. In Missouri, markets that will now have access to their local stations are Kirksville and St. Joseph. Users in all other Missouri markets currently have access to local channels from satellite providers.
“In Missouri, it’s important that people get local news, if for no other reason than to have up to date information about severe weather,” McCaskill said. “This measure will mean people in rural areas will have access to local channels even if they choose a satellite provider.”
In advance of a hearing late last year, McCaskill learned that in certain rural areas of Missouri, satellite providers do not provide access to local channels and instead supply viewers with local news from regions that are not close by, such as New York or Los Angeles. McCaskill believes that local television and local news is extremely important to Missourians.
Satellite providers often cite economic conditions as the reason that they cannot provide local coverage in rural areas. In response, another amendment sponsored by McCaskill that was included in the final version requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to study any economic conditions that may be preventing satellite carriers from providing local coverage in certain areas.
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