Contact:
Tania Panczyk-Collins
202-654-4222
tpanczyk@apts.org

Majority of FCC Commissioners Commend Public Television and DIRECTV on Historic Carriage Deal

WASHINGTON—December 21, 2008—FCC Commissioners Robert McDowell, Jonathan Adelstein, and Michael Copps in separate statements praised APTS, PBS and DIRECTV for reaching a landmark agreement for digital carriage of Public Television stations across the country.

“Like the agreement PBS and APTS reached with NCTA, this deal demonstrates that programmers with compelling content will obtain carriage for their HD and multicast offerings in the marketplace,” McDowell said. "The innovative agreement also provides that the parties will work cooperatively to offer viewers a vast library of on demand content from local stations across the country.”

Adelstein and Copps agreed that the agreement was in the public interest. "I'm thrilled APTS, PBS and DirecTV reached this historic carriage agreement," Adelstein said. "PBS and local Public Television stations provide some of the most exceptional public interest programming on TV, including news, public affairs and children's programming."

Copps said: “It is about sustaining the virtues of education, civic involvement and American democracy. Although we all have much to do—and very little time—to make the digital transition a success, this agreement ensures that Public Television’s future shines brighter than ever with the opportunity for new digital educational and public affairs programming."