WASHINGTON, DC - The National Association of Broadcasters has urged the Federal Communications Commission to open an investigation examining the issues raised by free access to satellite radio programming.
In a letter sent yesterday to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, NAB President and CEO David K. Rehr said the unequal regulatory treatment between free over-the-air and satellite radio "appears increasingly unjustifiable, particularly in light of the availability of satellite radio content to nonsubscribers."
Nonsubscribers often receive satellite radio service free for a number of months after purchasing a new car that has a satellite radio receiver pre-installed. Other non-subscribers are often subjected to satellite radio content free when renting a car through many popular car rental services. Rehr, citing recent news accounts in The Baltimore Sun and The Boston Globe, also noted several instances where over-the-air radio listeners were inundated with "indecent" satellite radio programming caused by interference from satellite radio devices.
The National Association of Broadcasters is a trade association that advocates on behalf of more than 8,300 free, local radio and television stations and also broadcast networks before Congress, the Federal Communications Commission and the Courts. Information about NAB can be found at www.nab.org.
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