Miscellaneous
What’s retransmission consent all about? Why will “free TV” cost consumers $11 billion in 2019? Why have TV stations blacked out their signals a record 230 times in 2019?In this edition of DC2U, ACA Connects’ podcast and videocast, ACA Connects President and CEO Matthew M. Polka explores the topic with a few communications policy experts: Mike Chappell, Executive Director of the American Television Alliance (ATVA); Trent Duffy, Partner with HDMK and ATVA spokesman; and John Simpson with Ride TV, an independent programmer.The podcast comes at a critical time with Congress in the process of reauthorizing the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization Act of 2014 (STELAR), which not only requires TV stations to bargain for retrans in good faith but also prevents them from signing exclusive retrans deals that would likely impede competition among multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs).Congress is also taking a close look at the Modern Television Act (H.R.3994), a bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) that would abolish retransmission consent and establish other policy reforms.This podcast was recorded Sept. 4 in Washington, D.C. ACA Connects is an ATVA member.