Social Feed

December 4, 2006


Dear Mr Malamute <----- :

Thank you for writing me about access to distant broadcast signals
on your satellite system. I appreciate hearing from you.

Federal laws clearly state when satellite companies are allowed to
provide viewers with a distant network signal (i.e. the NBC
Chicago affiliate) instead of the local network signal (i.e. the NBC
Marquette affiliate). These laws are in place to protect the viewer
base of local broadcasters. Without a strong viewer base, local
broadcasters cannot afford to create the local news and other
programming that communities count on.

For the last eight years, EchoStar, which operates the Dish
Network, and broadcasters have been embroiled in litigation over
whether the Dish Network violated the distant network signals law.
Last year a federal court found that the Dish Network had been
sending distant network signals to hundreds of thousands of its
customers illegally. Because the Dish Network engaged in what
the court called a "pattern or practice" of illegal behavior across
many parts of the country, the court ordered the Dish Network to
stop providing distant network signals to any of its subscribers.
December 1, 2006 is the date the order became effective. The
order does not affect cable or subscribers with other satellite
service.

Congress must not reward companies that violate the law. I
recognize that the court order will affect hundreds of thousands of
subscribers who are receiving distant network signals. Distant
network signals are particularly important in rural areas, such as
Northern Michigan, where there is no local broadcaster or where
the satellite company has not yet made the technology upgrades
necessary to offer the local network signal in that area.

I am working with my colleagues in Congress to encourage all
parties to come to an agreement that will allow Dish Network to
continue to provide distant network signals to those households. I
understand your frustration and will continue to urge these private
corporations to resolve this situation. Simply put, the Courts and
Congress can no longer ignore Dish Network's repeated violations
of federal law.

Constituents affected by the loss of distant network signals on the
Dish Network may have several alternative options to view
broadcast television, including cable, another satellite service, or
over-the-air, with an antenna.

Thank you again for contacting me about this issue. Please
continue to contact me with issues of concern to you.
Sincerely,

BART STUPAK
Member of Congress


BTW... we dont get chicago NBC here.... We have to file for waivers... all others we do qualify for.