The US Senate has passed the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA) of 2010. The legislation, which will expire in 2014, reauthorises the expiring statutory licences that permit satellite providers to retransmit broadcast stations to…
The US Senate has passed the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA) of 2010. The legislation, which will expire in 2014, reauthorises the expiring statutory licences that permit satellite providers to retransmit broadcast stations to consumers.
In addition, adjustments to the bill encourage satellite providers to make more local content available, particularly in the case of the southernmost counties of Vermont receiving local channels via DISH Network. In return, the bill alluded to DISH being able to deliver distant signal services again.
The previous STELA expired in December 2009 but had to be twice extended as its replacement had failed to pass. The new bill was actually introduced by a bipartisan committee in September and was eventually passed part of the wider Tax Extenders Act. It must now go to the House of Representatives for approval.
