As expiration dates for satellite carrier licenses near, broadcasters, TV networks, cable operators and sports leagues sent letters to 100 senators requesting a five-year SHVIA extension.
NAB, DirecTV and others requested that satellite operators be able to continue to import out-of-market "significantly viewed" stations from adjoining markets and implement a "no-distant-where-local concept," meaning that satellite operators cannot offer distant signals where local-in-local signals are available.
The groups would also like to phase out "wing satellite" stations and allow the retransmission of superstations to bars and commercial establishments.
In the letter, these groups also requested that a copyright arbitration panel be created to adjust royalty rates.
A temporary extension would delay the resolution of SHVIA-related issues and undo compromises reached in recent months, according to the letter.
Congress will reconvene in a lame-duck session Nov. 16.
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