U.S. House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) last week sponsored bipartisan legislation to modernize outdated video programming laws to help consumers have more choices at lower prices.
“It’s the end of the road for the outdated 1992 video laws,” Rep. Scalise said. “It’s time for Congress to finally modernize these laws.”
Rep. Scalise on July 25 introduced the Modern Television Act of 2019, H.R. 3994, with U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) to repeal regulations of the 1992 Cable Act, increase competition in the television marketplace, and to address broadcast TV blackouts.
“Our bill goes back to basic copyright protection, so that everyone gets paid for their product, and consumers get to choose whatever they want to buy, wherever they want to buy it, whatever device they want to watch their video on,” said Rep. Scalise.
If enacted, H.R. 3994 would protect consumers from experiencing broadcast blackouts when multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) and broadcasters fail to extend an agreement by requiring that MVPDs carry a broadcast signal while the parties continue negotiations for up to 60 days, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Scalise’s office. Parties would be paid retroactively for their content aired during this time.
Among other provisions, the bill would repeal retransmission consent, compulsory copyright licenses and several other statutory provisions and regulations to allow free-market contract negotiations under traditional copyright law, according to the summary, and would preempt federal, state and local authority to regulate cable rates.
Additionally, H.R. 3994 would ensure that consumers have access to local programming by retaining the ability of a local television broadcast station to require carriage on cable and satellite providers in their local market.
H.R. 3994 has been referred for consideration to both the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.