Don’t touch that dial: FCC looks at Denver TV Report compiles fixes for counties that get out-of-state local networks
By Jordyn Dahl Durango Herald Staff Writer Wednesday, August 31, 2011 10:30pm http://durangoherald.com/article/20110901/NEWS01/709019936/-1/s Football season is here, but it will be bittersweet for Durangoans who question whether they will be able to see every Broncos game. Negotiations between politicians and the Federal Communications Commission are continuing after the FCC released a report Tuesday addressing in-state television broadcasts. La Plata and Montezuma counties are “orphan” counties, regions that get out-of-state television signals. The result is residents here receive news, sports, weather and emergency broadcast alerts from Albuquerque instead of Denver like most of the rest of the state. When Broncos games clash with Dallas Cowboys games – which happens about once a year on average, on weeks they’re on the same network – local over-the-air and cable broadcasts from Albuquerque show Cowboys games and leave the Broncos off the air. The report outlined some potential alternatives to the designated market areas for defining local television markets, including using state boundaries to define local markets. In January, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., asked Four Corners residents to submit their opinions to the FCC during a public comment period for the report. Some residents answered the call, and a few of those comments were included in the report. David and Nancy Smith of La Plata County said audience surveys conducted by The Nielsen Co., whose designated market areas determine which broadcast stations are shown, argued that while Nielsen reports that viewers in La Plata County watch New Mexico broadcast stations, it’s only because viewers don’t have a choice. Bennet is reviewing the report, and he will determine if any of the alternatives could be moved on legislatively in the coming weeks, said Adam Bozzi, director of communications for Bennet. But if a resolution can’t be reached, Bozzi said Bennet is working on legislation similar to last year’s Four Corners Television Access Act to introduce to Congress. The act would have changed FCC law so cable and satellite providers could more easily deliver in-state television broadcasts to orphan counties. _______________________________________________ Medianews mailing list [email protected] http://lists.etskywarn.net/mailman/listinfo/medianews
