CHARLES F. BASS
Dear Chainnan Genachowski:
The Honorable Julius Genachowski
Chainnan
The Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
SUBCOMMITTEE ON
ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMY
COMMITTEE ON
ENERGY AND COMMERCE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON
COMMUNICATIONS AND TeCHNOLOGy
SUBCOMMITTEE ON
COMMERCE, MANUFACTURING, AND TRADE
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_ali!Jinglon. jDl[ 20515-2902
October 21,2011
2ND DISTRICT, New HAMPSHIRE
MEMBER OF CONGRESS
http://bass.hoUBe.gov
WASHINGTON OFFICE"
2350 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
PHoNe: (202)225-5206
FAX: (202) 225-2946
I applaud you for issuing a Notice ofProposed Rulemaking seeking comment on
proposals to revisit the Commission's retransmission consent rules, and encourage you to
complete your proceeding in time for the Commission's decision to infonn this year's
retransmission consent negotiations.
Today, New Hampshire residents benefit from broadcast localism, including reporting on
civic issues specific to the state legislature and important public safety infonnation during times
ofemergency and severe weather. However, given its geographic circumstances, New
Hampshire remains a unique media market and the governing federal regulatory policy hinders
the ability ofsome residents to receive New Hampshire programming. With the emergence of
satellite, local exchange carrier, and online p1atfonns, the video distribution marketplace has
fundamentally changed since the introduction ofthe retransmission consent framework nearly
two decades ago.
Recently, I've heard from a number ofmy state's smaller pay-TV providers about how,
as a result ofthese video marketplace changes, increasingly frequent negotiation breakdowns and
rising retransmission consent fees result in both significant inconvenience and cost to consumers.
In light ofthese concerns, I am pleased that the Commission is looking into this
situation. Examining whether these rules have kept up with the significant evolution ofthe video
marketplace since 1992 is appropriate, timely, and important. I appreciate your efforts to tackle
this difficult issue and, with hundreds ofcarriage deals set to expire by the end ofthis year, urge
you to complete your rulemaking in a timely manner to infonn this year's carriage talks.
Thank you for your consideration ofmy request and I look forward to hearing from you
on this matter ofimportance that affects my constituents.
Member ofCongress
CONCORD OFFICE'
',4 NORTH MAIN STREET, SUITE 200
CONCORD, NH 03301
PHONE: (603\226-0064
NASHUA OFFICE'
221 MAIN STREET, SUITE 201
NASHUA, NH 03060
PHONE: (603) 595-7701
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LITTLETON OFFICE:
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LITTLETON, NH 03581
PHONE: (603) 444-5505