WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Association of Broadcasters issued a statement today following an announcement that the Federal Communications Commission will be issuing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding retransmission consent. Retransmission consent is the market-based process by which a pay-TV distributor and a broadcast station negotiate carriage rights.
Commenting, NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith said:
"NAB strongly endorses educating consumers with the multiple options available to them in the exceedingly rare instance when a retransmission consent dispute arises, including the antenna TV option. In the final analysis, injecting Washington into private business negotiations that have a 99 percent success rate only serves to embolden pay-TV companies. If the pay-TV giants succeed, there will be further migration of premiere sporting events like the Super Bowl away from free TV, and a reduction in financial resources that sustains quality foreign language programming, local news and entertainment to a growing audience of more than 30 million Americans who rely exclusively on over-the-air television."
About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.
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