Limited Government Group Wants To Limit Satellite Bill

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Americans for Limited Government want a limited satellite reauthorization bill or, preferably, no new compulsory license at all.

In a letter to Sen John Thune (R-SD), ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, Americans for Limited Government President Nathan Mehrens said that it would be better for the satellite compulsory license to expire and program negotiations revert to the marketplace. But if it has to be extended, any such reauthorization should exclude retransmission consent reforms.

"Congress has recognized broadcasters' right to compensation for the product of their labor from cable and satellite providers for retransmission of their stations' valuable signals to subscribers," Mehrens said. "Under the current system, broadcasters and pay television providers negotiate in the free market to reach mutually beneficial agreements -- with agreements successfully reached an overwhelming majority of the time. It would be a mistake for the federal government to hobble broadcasters' right to negotiate fair market value for their product."


Limited Government Group Wants To Limit Satellite Bill