Network battle — Congress pushing to resolve programming dilemma
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
http://www.bdtonline.com:80/editorials/local_story_331172339.html?keyword=secondarystory
On Friday, thousands of satellite television customers will lose some network viewing due to a blackout of services stemming from a federal lawsuit against programming provider EchoStar.
Through no fault of their own, 34,000 Dish network viewers in West Virginia, along with thousands of customers in other states, will lose their existing ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox signals.
Although a bill to remedy the situation has been introduced by Senators Jay Rockefeller and Robert Byrd, both D-W.Va., the House of Representatives will not return to session until Dec. 5.
So the question looming now appears to be not if customers will lose network stations, but for how long.
“Congress has a responsibility to these consumers,” Rockefeller said. “Through no fault of their own, these satellite users are being punished. They live in rural areas, and they absolutely depend on their satellite service not only for news and entertainment, but also for emergencies. These technical and legal disputes are unraveling the service our consumers have paid for and are expecting to get. What we have is a mess not of our citizens making, yet they are bearing the brunt of the penalty.”
The disruption in service is due to a federal court ruling against EchoStar for violating copyright law by offering programming to customers who can get network feeds with an antenna.
Although Rockefeller has said he will push for speedy action on the legislation, no one is sure how quickly Congress will address the issue once it reconvenes.
“Senator Rockefeller will work hard to pass this legislation and will pursue every possible step to protect consumers from suffering a disruption in their service,” Rockefeller spokesman Stuart Chapman told the Daily Telegraph last week. “But it’s unclear whether the Republicans, who are in control of Congress through the end of 2006, will make the passage of this important bill a top priority.”
We commend West Virginia’s senators for sponsoring this legislation, and urge them to continue their crusade for the people of their state and others who are affected by the dish blackout.
We also encourage all members of Congress to put partisan politics on the backburner and work expeditiously to remedy this significant problem affecting thousands of Americans.
This issue is not about politics, it’s about people. Congress should act quickly to do the right thing.
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
http://www.bdtonline.com:80/editorials/local_story_331172339.html?keyword=secondarystory
On Friday, thousands of satellite television customers will lose some network viewing due to a blackout of services stemming from a federal lawsuit against programming provider EchoStar.
Through no fault of their own, 34,000 Dish network viewers in West Virginia, along with thousands of customers in other states, will lose their existing ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox signals.
Although a bill to remedy the situation has been introduced by Senators Jay Rockefeller and Robert Byrd, both D-W.Va., the House of Representatives will not return to session until Dec. 5.
So the question looming now appears to be not if customers will lose network stations, but for how long.
“Congress has a responsibility to these consumers,” Rockefeller said. “Through no fault of their own, these satellite users are being punished. They live in rural areas, and they absolutely depend on their satellite service not only for news and entertainment, but also for emergencies. These technical and legal disputes are unraveling the service our consumers have paid for and are expecting to get. What we have is a mess not of our citizens making, yet they are bearing the brunt of the penalty.”
The disruption in service is due to a federal court ruling against EchoStar for violating copyright law by offering programming to customers who can get network feeds with an antenna.
Although Rockefeller has said he will push for speedy action on the legislation, no one is sure how quickly Congress will address the issue once it reconvenes.
“Senator Rockefeller will work hard to pass this legislation and will pursue every possible step to protect consumers from suffering a disruption in their service,” Rockefeller spokesman Stuart Chapman told the Daily Telegraph last week. “But it’s unclear whether the Republicans, who are in control of Congress through the end of 2006, will make the passage of this important bill a top priority.”
We commend West Virginia’s senators for sponsoring this legislation, and urge them to continue their crusade for the people of their state and others who are affected by the dish blackout.
We also encourage all members of Congress to put partisan politics on the backburner and work expeditiously to remedy this significant problem affecting thousands of Americans.
This issue is not about politics, it’s about people. Congress should act quickly to do the right thing.
