HILL HOTSHOTS BACK EXCLUSIVITY

摘要

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler's plan to eliminate the broadcast exclusivity rules has run into even more pushback on Capitol Hill as a major lobbying effort by broadcasters continues against the move. Eliminating the rules could allow cable operators to import duplicative programming into a market during retrans impasses, weakening broadcasters' hand in those negotiations. Fans of the move have argued it is a natural follow-up to the FCC's elimination of the sports blackout rule, with both providing government backstops to exclusivity in marketplace contracts. But while there were a pair of powerful legislators pushing for elimination of that sports rule-namely, Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.)-the Hill power has been massing on the other side for the issue in the case of the syndicated exclusivity and network nonduplication rules, which prevent the importation of distant TV station network and syndicated programming into local markets.