Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA)

Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA)
Short title	Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act
Long title	An Act to extend the authority of the Secretary of Commerce to conduct the Census of Population and to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for the reauthorization of the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act of 2004
Enacted by	United States Congress
Enacted date	December 4, 2014
Signed by	Barack Obama
Signed date	December 4, 2014
Effective date	December 4, 2014
Public law	Public Law 113–200
Statute	128 Stat. 2059
Codified	Communications Act of 1934
Legislative history	House of Representatives: H.R. 5728 on November 18, 2014
Amendments	Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act of 2004

Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA) is a federal law that was enacted to extend the authority of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to regulate the retransmission of broadcast signals by satellite television providers, such as DirecTV and Dish Network. The law aims to promote localism and ensure that consumers have access to local broadcast channels, including those owned by NBCUniversal, CBS Corporation, and Fox Corporation. The Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA) also seeks to balance the interests of broadcasters, such as ABC, PBS, and NPR, with those of cable television and satellite television providers, including Comcast, Charter Communications, and AT&T. The law has been supported by various industry stakeholders, including the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the American Television Alliance (ATVA), which represents the interests of broadcasters and pay-TV providers, such as Verizon Communications and Cox Communications.

Introduction

The Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA) was introduced in response to the growing demand for local broadcast channels and the need to update the regulatory framework governing the retransmission of these channels by satellite television providers. The law builds on the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act of 2004, which was enacted to promote the availability of local broadcast channels to satellite television subscribers. The Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA) has been influenced by various industry developments, including the growth of online streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, and the increasing popularity of over-the-top (OTT) services, such as Sling TV and YouTube TV. The law has also been shaped by the interests of various stakeholders, including the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) and the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which represent the interests of cable television and consumer electronics companies, such as Samsung and LG Electronics.

Legislative History

The Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA) was passed by the United States Congress on November 18, 2014, and was signed into law by Barack Obama on December 4, 2014. The law was introduced by Representative Greg Walden and Senator Jay Rockefeller, who chairs the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, respectively. The law has been supported by various industry stakeholders, including the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the American Television Alliance (ATVA), and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), which represents the interests of Hollywood studios, such as Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, and Paramount Pictures. The law has also been influenced by the work of various regulatory agencies, including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the Department of Justice (DOJ), which have been involved in shaping the regulatory framework governing the telecommunications and media industries.

Provisions

The Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA) includes several key provisions that aim to promote localism and ensure that consumers have access to local broadcast channels. The law extends the authority of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to regulate the retransmission of broadcast signals by satellite television providers, such as DirecTV and Dish Network. The law also requires satellite television providers to carry local broadcast channels in certain markets, including those owned by NBCUniversal, CBS Corporation, and Fox Corporation. The law has been influenced by various industry developments, including the growth of online streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, and the increasing popularity of over-the-top (OTT) services, such as Sling TV and YouTube TV. The law has also been shaped by the interests of various stakeholders, including the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) and the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which represent the interests of cable television and consumer electronics companies, such as Samsung and LG Electronics.

Impact on Broadcasting

The Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA) has had a significant impact on the broadcasting industry, particularly with regards to the retransmission of local broadcast channels by satellite television providers. The law has ensured that consumers have access to local broadcast channels, including those owned by ABC, PBS, and NPR. The law has also promoted localism by requiring satellite television providers to carry local broadcast channels in certain markets. The law has been influenced by various industry developments, including the growth of online streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, and the increasing popularity of over-the-top (OTT) services, such as Sling TV and YouTube TV. The law has also been shaped by the interests of various stakeholders, including the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the American Television Alliance (ATVA), and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), which represents the interests of Hollywood studios, such as Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, and Paramount Pictures.

Reauthorizations and Updates

The Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA) has undergone several reauthorizations and updates since its enactment in 2014. The law was reauthorized in 2019 as part of the Television Viewer Protection Act, which was signed into law by Donald Trump on December 20, 2019. The law has also been updated to reflect changes in the telecommunications and media industries, including the growth of online streaming services and the increasing popularity of over-the-top (OTT) services. The law has been influenced by various industry developments, including the growth of 5G networks and the increasing popularity of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies. The law has also been shaped by the interests of various stakeholders, including the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) and the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which represent the interests of cable television and consumer electronics companies, such as Samsung and LG Electronics.

Criticisms and Controversies

The Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA) has been subject to various criticisms and controversies since its enactment in 2014. Some critics have argued that the law favors the interests of broadcasters over those of pay-TV providers, such as Comcast, Charter Communications, and AT&T. Others have argued that the law does not do enough to promote localism and ensure that consumers have access to local broadcast channels. The law has also been criticized for its impact on the telecommunications and media industries, including the growth of online streaming services and the increasing popularity of over-the-top (OTT) services. The law has been influenced by various industry developments, including the growth of 5G networks and the increasing popularity of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies. The law has also been shaped by the interests of various stakeholders, including the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the American Television Alliance (ATVA), and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), which represents the interests of Hollywood studios, such as Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, and Paramount Pictures.

Category:United States federal telecommunications legislation