Satellite customers want the kind of valuable community information that only local TV stations can provide, such as weather emergencies and local news and sports. Iowans should not be left behind. Consequently, smaller and mid-sized communities and rural markets don't benefit from the change in the law. Iowa is one of a number of states that does not have any markets within the top 60 markets.
Satellite TV can now be a true competitor to cable in Iowa.
Both outlets can compete equally for the consumer's dollar. Grassley has made it a top priority to give rural satellite subscribers access to their local network broadcasting. Last year, he brought to the forefront the needs of Iowa satellite subscribers in several letters urging that consumers in rural and less populated markets have equal programming access.