Senator Rockefeller to be Commended for Questioning Shared Service Agreements

Commerce Chair Asks GAO to investigate whether JSAs, SSAs Lead to Blackouts, Higher Costs

WASHINGTON D.C.  May 14, 2013 — The American Television Alliance (ATVA) applauds Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, for asking the U.S. Government Accountability Office to take a “closer look” at arrangements where local broadcasters share essential functions – such as jointly negotiating retransmission consent – and how these arrangements negatively impact consumers. These types of arrangements may lead to more retransmission consent disputes and cause consumers more harm when multiple broadcast stations are pulled during such disputes. Further, these arrangements may cost consumers more money in the end.

ATVA encourages the Chairman and the Committee to continue to investigate the video marketplace and how antiquated rules are affecting consumers.

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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 viewers face as broadcasters increasingly threaten service disruptions that would deny viewers access to the programs they and their families enjoy.