Trent Lott, Max Baucus & Olympia Snowe attack Satellite Radio (again)

[populistdriven]

http://www.radioink.com/HeadlineEntry.asp?hid=132825&pt=todaysnews

US Senators Olympia Snowe, Max Baucus and Trent Lott yesterday introduced the "Local Emergency Radio Service Preservation Act of 2006," aimed at preventing satellite radio companies from carrying localized content.

The Senate bill would prohibit Sirius and XM Satellite Radio from offering services that are "locally differentiated," or that deliver programming to subscribers in one geographic market that is different from programming other customers receive in other regions.

The NAB’s President & CEO David Rehr had this to say in a statement:

"NAB applauds Sens. Snowe, Baucus and Lott for introducing legislation designed to preserve the rich tradition of local broadcasting. It is crystal clear that both XM and Sirius – with nearly $1 billion in combined losses last year and having failed as a national programming service – are skirting the intent of their original FCC licenses. This bill holds satellite radio accountable to those licenses.

~snip~

//Anybody else bet that this was written by ClearChannel?

[LuCifer]

1. GOD WHAT CRAP!

They just can't get over Howard Stern! GET A LIFE YOU ASSHOLES! And SHAME on any "Democrats" who signs on to this WITCH HUNT!

And a BA BA BOOIE to y'all!
Lu Cifer, I got something they can regulate, RIIIIIIGHT HEEEEERE!

[Renew Deal]

2. How is this a positive for old fashioned radio?

Satellite has the same content and better. They don't need local content. Besides this, it's a waste of time.

[habitual]

3. I am picturing the idiots led by Lott

saying "i know - we'll add the word 'emergency' to make it sound as if there is actually some reason for this. Trust me, it'll work"

and thus was born: 'Local Emergency Radio Service Preservation Act of 2006'
originally thought of: 'Local Radio Service Preservation Act of 2006'

you see, even in this, the only way they know to get what they want is through fear.....

if we don't want radio in case of an 'mergency, we better stop those satellite radio companies. (now where is that donation you promised to Lott's party?)

[ticapnews]

4. "It is crystal clear..."

The only thing that is "crystal clear" is the radio signal you get from satellite radio, as opposed to the static-plagued local stations....

[jedr]

5. The tidal wave movement of satellite radio, must have them;

Scared stiff. The Clear Channel attitude of "We'll tell you what you want" didn't float. I'm sure that this is just the beginning of many legislations that will lead to an attempted censor of Satellite. They love a free market as long as they make the money ,and this also is a clear erosion of their control of the media. BTW, the Stern Channels just get better everyday. In general , I had forgotten how entertaining radio can be. This includes all the channels not just Stern.

[ticapnews]

6. This was introduced in the House last year

HR 998 IH

Local Emergency Radio Service Preservation Act of 2005 (Introduced in House)

Mr. PICKERING (for himself and Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

Had 110 co-sponsors.

This year's Senate version:
S.2418
A bill to preserve local radio broadcast emergency and other services and to require the Federal Communications Commission to conduct a rulemaking for that purpose.

Officially, it was sponsored by Snowe, with Baucus and Lott as co-conspirators co-sponsors.

The text of the bill has not been printed yet...