ATVA Applauds E&C Hearing on STELAR – Encourages Focus on Consumers

WASHINGTON, DC – In anticipation of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s hearing entitled “STELAR Review: Protecting Consumers in an Evolving Media Marketplace” the American Television Alliance (ATVA) is asking Congress to truly protect consumers by also addressing broken retransmission consent laws.  ATVA applauded Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr (NJ-06) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle (PA-18) for announcing the hearing.  The hearing will take place on Tuesday June 4, 2019 at 10:30 AM EST.  

“Congress should not only reauthorize STELAR so nearly one million Americans can continue receiving all their current network programming, but also modernize the retransmission consent rules, which currently favor broadcasters at the expense of consumers and competition,” said Trent Duffy ATVA spokesman. “We applaud the committee for holding this important hearing and starting a conversation about reforming a system that for too long has favored broadcasters at the expense of consumers.”

Major rules governing the U.S.  media marketplace were first written in 1934 and last updated in the 1992 Cable Act. These rules were written at a time when the Internet was still in its infancy and multiple streaming options didn’t exist.

“We live in an instant, on-demand digital world. Consumers have unparalleled choice and competition for video content,” added Duffy. “It is long past time for Congress to take a serious look at modernizing laws and promoting choice and competition in the media marketplace.”

About the American Television Alliance

The American Television Alliance (ATVA) brings together an unprecedented coalition of consumer groups, cable, satellite, telephone companies, and independent programmers to raise awareness about the risk TV viewers face as broadcasters increasingly threaten service disruptions that would deny viewers access to the programs they and their families enjoy. 

For more information about ATVA, visit our website. Follow us on Twitter @ATVAlliance