House Committee To Mark Up SHVERA Reauthorization Bill Thursday

The House Communications, Technology and Internet Subcommittee plans to mark up the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act this Thursday (June 25). SHVERA allows satellite companies to deliver distant TV network-affiliated TV station signals to markets that can't receive a viewable signal from their own local affiliate, or lack one altogether. A draft circulated early last week did not deal with anything but a straight reauthorization plus some updates given the digital switch. One of those was instructing the FCC to come up with a new formula for determining what satellite subscribers qualified for distant network signals. The old test was based on a grade B analog signal contour that is no longer relevant in the digital world. But sources say the draft is only a placeholder, and that the heavy lifting will come in as amendments from Subcommittee Chairman Rick Boucher (D-VA), which will be the true measure of what issues will be in the bill.