APTS Statement on the Enactment of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010
WASHINGTON – May 28, 2010 – The Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) applauds the action taken by the President and Congress in passing the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010. The President signed the legislation yesterday.
"APTS applauds the President and the leadership of Senate Chairmen Leahy and Rockefeller, and Ranking Members Hutchison and Sessions, and House Chairmen Conyers, Waxman and Boucher, and Ranking Members Smith, Barton and Stearns," said APTS Interim President and CEO Lonna Thompson. "This important legislation provides for accelerated carriage of local public television stations' High Definition signals and expanded, permissive carriage of state public television networks, to give all satellite television subscribers access to public television's rich digital programming."
Thompson concluded: "APTS has worked for several years to try to reach a private carriage negotiation with DISH Network, but unfortunately we have been unable to arrive at an agreement to date. While we will continue to try to negotiate with DISH, this legislation provides critical assurances that the American public will have access to the highest quality local public television services in the event that no such agreement can be reached."
About APTS
The Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) is a nonprofit membership organization established in 1979. The mission of APTS is to conduct – in concert with member stations – advocacy, planning, research and communications activities in order to achieve strong and financially sound noncommercial television and advanced digital services for the American people. APTS provides consistent leadership and information that helps our members better accomplish their own missions and goals. APTS promotes the legislative and regulatory interests of noncommercial television stations at the national level through direct advocacy, and grasstops and grassroots campaigns designed to garner congressional support.
###
