http://www.tvpredictions.com/pbs021207.htm
Public broadcasting officials want Congress to force satellite TV operators to offer high-def channels.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (February 12, 2007) -- Public Broadcasting officials say satellite TV operators should be required to carry their High-Definition signals.
PBS executives from across the country are coming to Washington this week to urge Congress to change the Communications Act to include a must-carry provision.
"DIRECTV and EchoStar use scarce public airwaves to beam their signals to and from satellites," says John Lawson, president and CEO of the Association of Public Television Stations (APTS). "They use highly valuable international orbital slots for these satellites. It's outrageous that they won't carry the new digital channels from local public stations, but find a way to carry the big four commercial network stations."
DIRECTV and EchoStar have expanded their local HD service over the last year, but do not offer the PBS high-def signal in most cities.
APTS says the Communications Act should state that the satcasters must carry PBS' "entire multicast digital programming," which would include the high-def signal and other digital feeds.
Satellite TV services are required to carry the analog feed of the local PBS station under the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act.
APTS says DIRECTV is considering carriage of PBS digital feeds, but talks are at an early stage. EchoStar, the group says, is refusing to carry the PBS digital feeds.
In January 2005, the PBS group signed an agreement with the National Cable and Telecommunications Association for carriage of all PBS digital signals on large cable TV systems. APTS says it hopes to sign a similar agreement with smaller cable systems in the near future.
Public broadcasting officials want Congress to force satellite TV operators to offer high-def channels.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (February 12, 2007) -- Public Broadcasting officials say satellite TV operators should be required to carry their High-Definition signals.
PBS executives from across the country are coming to Washington this week to urge Congress to change the Communications Act to include a must-carry provision.
"DIRECTV and EchoStar use scarce public airwaves to beam their signals to and from satellites," says John Lawson, president and CEO of the Association of Public Television Stations (APTS). "They use highly valuable international orbital slots for these satellites. It's outrageous that they won't carry the new digital channels from local public stations, but find a way to carry the big four commercial network stations."
DIRECTV and EchoStar have expanded their local HD service over the last year, but do not offer the PBS high-def signal in most cities.
APTS says the Communications Act should state that the satcasters must carry PBS' "entire multicast digital programming," which would include the high-def signal and other digital feeds.
Satellite TV services are required to carry the analog feed of the local PBS station under the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act.
APTS says DIRECTV is considering carriage of PBS digital feeds, but talks are at an early stage. EchoStar, the group says, is refusing to carry the PBS digital feeds.
In January 2005, the PBS group signed an agreement with the National Cable and Telecommunications Association for carriage of all PBS digital signals on large cable TV systems. APTS says it hopes to sign a similar agreement with smaller cable systems in the near future.
