OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
February 22, 2011
The Honorable Michael B. Enzi
United States Senate
379A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Enzi:
Thank you for your comments in the Commission's proceedings to implement the
Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010 (STELA). I share your concern that
some satellite television consumers in Wyoming and other states may not have access to
programming that originates from television stations licensed to communities in their states.
Federal law - even following passage of STELA - requires that satellite television
carriers use the Designated Market Area (DMA) as defined by the Nielsen Company to
determine which television stations to include in their local programming packages.
Recognizing that this requirement may limit the availability of in-state programming to some
consumers, however, STELA directs the Commission to prepare a report that, among other
things, examines whether there are alternatives to use of Nielsen DMAs. The Commission
issued a Public Notice on November 23,2010, seeking public input for this report. The
Commission is required to submit its findings to Congress in August 2011. I am enclosing a
copy of the Public Notice for your information, and will ensure that your letter is included in the
record of this proceeding.
Also on November 23, the Commission adopted a Report and Order implementing
provisions of STELA designed to make the carriage of "significantly viewed" out-of-market
stations easier for satellite television providers. I am hopeful that in the wake of this Order,
satellite carriers will expand the availability of significantly viewed television signals to
consumers, including those in Wyoming. There are several Wyoming television stations that are
deemed to be significantly viewed and eligible to be provided to satellite consumers in a number
of Wyoming's "orphan" counties.
I appreciate your interest in this important matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me if
I may be of further assistance.
Enclosure
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
February 22, 2011
The Honorable Cynthia M. Lummis
U.S. House of Representatives
113 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congresswoman Lummis:
Thank you for your comments in the Commission's proceedings to implement the
Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010 (STELA). I share your concern that
some satellite television consumers in Wyoming and other states may not have access to
programming that originates from television stations licensed to communities in their states.
Federal law - even following passage of STELA - requires that satellite television
carriers use the Designated Market Area (DMA) as defined by the Nielsen Company to
determine which television stations to include in their local programming packages.
Recognizing that this requirement may limit the availability of in-state programming to some
consumers, however, STELA directs the Commission to prepare a report that, among other
things, examines whether there are alternatives to use of Nielsen DMAs. The Commission
issued a Public Notice on November 23,2010, seeking public input for this report. The
Commission is required to submit its findings to Congress in August 2011. I am enclosing a
copy of the Public Notice for your information, and will ensure that your letter is included in the
record of this proceeding.
Also on November 23, the Commission adopted a Report and Order implementing
provisions of STELA designed to make the carriage of "significantly viewed" out-of-market
stations easier for satellite television providers. I am hopeful that in the wake of this Order,
satellite carriers will expand the availability of significantly viewed television signals to
consumers, including those in Wyoming. There are several Wyoming television stations that are
deemed to be significantly viewed and eligible to be provided to satellite consumers in a number
of Wyoming's "orphan" counties.
I appreciate your interest in this important matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me if
I may be of further assistance.
1 lius Genachowski
Enclosure
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
February 22,2011
The Honorable John Barrasso
United States Senate
307 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Barrasso:
Thank you for your comments in the Commission's proceedings to implement the
Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010 (STELA). I share your concern that
some satellite television consumers in Wyoming and other states may not have access to
programming that originates from television stations licensed to communities in their states.
Federal law - even following passage of STELA - requires that satellite television
carriers use the Designated Market Area (DMA) as defined by the Nielsen Company to
determine which television stations to include in their local programming packages.
Recognizing that this requirement may limit the availability of in-state programming to some
consumers, however, STELA directs the Commission to prepare a report that, among other
things, examines whether there are alternatives to use of Nielsen DMAs. The Commission
issued a Public Notice on November 23,2010, seeking public input for this report. The
Commission is required to submit its findings to Congress in August 2011. I am enclosing a
copy of the Public Notice for your information, and will ensure that your letter is included in the
record of this proceeding.
Also on November 23, the Commission adopted a Report and Order implementing
provisions of STELA designed to make the carriage of "significantly viewed" out-of-market
stations easier for satellite television providers. I am hopeful that in the wake of this Order,
satellite carriers will expand the availability of significantly viewed television signals to
consumers, including those in Wyoming. There are several Wyoming television stations that are
deemed to be significantly viewed and eligible to be provided to satellite consumers in a number
of Wyoming's "orphan" counties.
I appreciate your interest in this important matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me if
I may be of further assistance.
!
Julius Genachowski
Enclosure