DC - Today the Rural Local Broadcast Signal Act, H.R. 3615, authored by Representatives Boucher and Goodlatte, was passed by the House and the Senate and sent to the President for signature.
Many consumers live in areas too remote to receive quality local broadcast or cable service.
The only way for them to receive network programming is to subscribe to a satellite service. But unfortunately technology has not been made available for consumers in smaller communities and rural areas to receive their local television stations on their satellite systems. Therefore, satellite subscribers in these areas are deprived of access to local stations which supply important emergency information, sports, weather, and local news coverage. In addition, the availability of local stations via satellite will make satellite a competitive alternative to cable in cities and towns. The Rural Local Broadcast Signal Act authorizes a commission of federal agencies to provide loan guarantees to ventures utilizing satellite technology to deliver local television signals to satellite dish owners in the rural and smaller television markets the commercial satellite companies do not plan to serve.