James Weston wrote:
> regarding the Federal Satellite
> Ruling, etc. Would you mind posting that info across the list - as
the
> subject concerns SO many of us & is in fact, "On-Topic"?
Sure thing
Broadcaster Arrogance Prevents Millions of RV Owners From Watching National TV Ads
HERNDON, Va., March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of thousands of Americans
live and travel extensively in the comfort of modern recreational vehicles
(RVs). Many of them hit the road last weekend. One of the "comforts of
home" they enjoy wherever they roam is getting perfect TV pictures through
satellite dish technology. You would assume that would include watching
national commercials on CBS, Fox and other networks from many companies
who value RV owners because they typically have plenty of disposable income.
But put the Satellite Home Viewer Act (SHVA) into this scenario, and you
pull the plug on any chance for most RVers to watch the networks, including
CBS and Fox. Here's why: SHVA strictly forbids satellite subscribers from
viewing network programming unless their home addresses are in areas not
normally serviced by broadcast signals. The majority who don't live in
their RVs year-round reside in areas where they get local TV signals from
cable or conventional TV antennas. When they're on the road with their
RV, they often have mail forwarded, but you can't do that with cable TV.
So they end up enjoying the great out-of-doors hundreds or thousands of
miles away from "home," but are denied network programming. "We've been
bombarded with calls, E-mails and letters from RV owners who
are very upset about not being able to receive network signals," says
Bob Phillips, president and CEO of the National Rural Telecommunications
Cooperative (NRTC). "You have to wonder about the logic of commercial broadcasters
who exclude millions of consumers who own RVs from seeing
their sponsors' messages."
Ron Epstein, public relations director for The Good Sam Club, which
has 1 million RV owners as members, agrees with Phillips. "We're very disappointed
that our members can't get good network TV reception," says Epstein, based
in Ventura, Calif. "They tell us that when they try to get waivers from
network affiliate stations in areas where they are visiting in their RVs,
most of the time the local station managers don't know what they're talking
about, or simply don't care." Even more frustrated are those Americans
whose RVs are their permanent homes. "More than one-tenth of our members,
around 100,000, live in their RVs year-round, and these folks really feel
denied," Epstein continues.
The Good Sam Club represents only a fraction of all RV owners in the
United States, Epstein explains. "We're working in Washington, D.C., to
get the current law changed to exclude RV owners from the SHVA, but so
far it looks like the networks simply don't have the inclination to be
bothered with us."
"RV owners are a classic example of the arrogance displayed over and
over by the National Association of Broadcasters," says NRTC's Phillips.
"Without Congressional action, American consumers will remain at the mercy
of the broadcasters' unbridled arrogance." NRTC is actively working with
Congress to achieve a legislative solution to the crisis. It is providing
a toll-free number (1-800-244-3247) to those who wish to be connected to
their senators or representative. NRTC also operates the "tvaccessnow.com"
Web site that provides a direct E-mail link to Congress
and updates on the issue. Note: Over the last few days, hundreds of
thousands of rural consumers
lost access to satellite-delivered network signals. Termination of
these network signals is required as a result of a federal court order
stemming from a broadcaster lawsuit. The court order mandates that satellite
companies, like DIRECTV and the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative
(NRTC), must stop distributing CBS and Fox service to consumers who are
deemed ineligible
under federal law to receive distant network signals. The eligibility
standard used by the court is based on "predictive models," not an actual
determination of who can receive local broadcast signals. The National
Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has branded satellite dish owners as
"lawbreakers" even though many of them cannot receive a quality CBS or
Fox signal off-air. The only course of dish-owner relief is legislation
now moving through Congress. Senate bill S. 303, sponsored by Sen. McCain
(R-AZ) and Sen. Burns (R-MT), and House bill H.R. 851, sponsored by Rep.
Tauzin
(R-LA).
>>
Find your congressmans E-mail at : http://www.takeaction@AmericasVoice.com
tlhen click "Take Action Now" if you want.
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