SBCA COMMENDS HOUSE JUDICIARY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEES FOR PASSAGE OF SATELLITE HOME VIEWER LEGISLATION

ALEXANDRIA, VA, APRIL 27, 1999 – The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association (SBCA) commended the House Judiciary and Commerce Committees for their work in achieving today’s passage of H.R. 1554, the Satellite Copyright, Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 1999.

SBCA President Chuck Hewitt said, " H.R. 1554 represents an important step forward in accomplishing our industry’s goals. The bill provides for FCC rulemakings on a signal reception standard and a predictive methodology for determining consumer eligibility to receive distant network signals. It also extends the existing satellite copyright license for distant network signals and creates the necessary copyright license so satellite carriers can offer local-into-local service to consumers."

Hewitt also stated, "The SBCA and its member companies will continue to pursue vigorously certain provisions of the bill that, unless revised, could hamper the bill’s potential to achieve its stated overall goals for consumers. Our efforts will be directed to ensuring that all consumers have access to the widest range of high quality programming and increased competitive choices in the video marketplace."

The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association of America (SBCA) is the national trade organization representing all segments of the home satellite industry. It is committed to expanding the utilization of satellite technology for the broadcast delivery of entertainment, news, information and educational programming. The SBCA is composed of DBS service providers, programmers, equipment manufacturers, distributors, retailers, encryption vendors, and national and regional distribution companies.

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