CASPER7

DISH: Retrans Quiet Period Idea Needs Tweaks


DISH Network commented on this week's offer from broadcasters to establish a quiet period for any retransmission consent negotiations during the nation's digital TV transition, set for Feb. 17, 2009.

The broadcaster offer, reported by sister publication The Morning BRIDGE on Wednesday, would put on hold any retrans issues for two weeks before and two weeks after the digital TV transition. Specifically, broadcasters would make available local TV signals already being broadcast by a pay-TV provider between Feb. 4 and March 4, 2009.

The proposal was floated by the National Association of Broadcasters and includes station owners and networks such as NBC and ABC, among several others.

In a statement, DISH said it supports efforts by all stakeholders - broadcasters, the cable industry, satellite providers and government officials - to establish a retrans quiet period surrounding the digital TV transition. "However, starting the quiet period any later than December is pointless, because it will not capture the lion's share of retransmission consent agreements that expire at the end of the year," the company said in a statement.

DISH said it supports a retrans quiet period, one that would be imposed by the Federal Communications Commission, which would begin on Dec 15. In the spirit of compromise, DISH said it would be OK with an end date of March 4.

Cable interests, led by the American Cable Association, are pushing for a six-month retrans quiet period, with the effort starting Jan. 1 and ending May 31 next year.

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