Congress approves satellite transmission bill

pr0digal jenius · Nov 21, 2004, 11:24 PM

WASHINGTON--Satellite companies would be able to retransmit broadcasters' television signals for another five years but would have to offer those signals on a single dish, under legislation approved by Congress on Saturday.

The bill represents a setback for satellite providers like EchoStar Communications, which has argued that capacity constraints require it to split its signal onto two channels.

Broadcasters had complained that less-popular channels are commonly shunted onto the second dish, which some customers choose not to install.

EchoStar, the No. 2 satellite provider, has claimed that any move to consolidate signals onto one dish would cost the company $100 million, according to Legg Mason analysts.
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Source/Read more:C|Net

Nov 21, 2004, 11:24 PM	#1
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	Congress approves satellite transmission bill WASHINGTON--Satellite companies would be able to retransmit broadcasters' television signals for another five years but would have to offer those signals on a single dish, under legislation approved by Congress on Saturday. The bill represents a setback for satellite providers like EchoStar Communications, which has argued that capacity constraints require it to split its signal onto two channels. Broadcasters had complained that less-popular channels are commonly shunted onto the second dish, which some customers choose not to install. EchoStar, the No. 2 satellite provider, has claimed that any move to consolidate signals onto one dish would cost the company $100 million, according to Legg Mason analysts. __________________ Source/Read more:C\|Net