Gray TV Wants AT&T to Add Stations in Markets Without Extension
Gray Television co-CEO Pat LaPlatney wants AT&T to “put aside efforts to secure an extension for complying” with requirements in the permanent renewal of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act "and instead work with us toward bringing local TV…
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signals to the residents of all the impacted markets as quickly as possible.” AT&T told members of Congress’ Commerce and Judiciary committees last month it's working to address expected customer upheaval caused by STELA ahead of a June 1 effective date (see 2004200065). The law requires satellite providers using the distant-signal license to serve all 210 designated market areas (see 1912190068). In a letter to AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson dated Monday, LaPlantey noted DirecTV has received significant criticism for not offering local signals in 12 designated market areas (see 1905310051), including seven where Gray has local stations. "The lack of access to local stations [is] an unfortunate situation in normal times" but "intolerable" during the pandemic, he said: Existing retransmission consent agreements would let DirecTV carry Gray stations in those seven markets without any further negotiations. LaPlatney said Gray would host that local receive equipment at its station buildings free. AT&T is "currently in discussions with each of the major broadcast networks to obtain access to their national programming for many of these impacted customers," a spokesperson emailed. "Local stations have exclusive control over who can offer their content within their communities. Our goal is to continue providing network content to as many homes as possible and impacted customers are eligible for a credit." Gray also emailed to the media letters sent in recent weeks to Stephenson from Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine; Angus King, I-Maine; Deb Fischer, R-Neb.; and Ben Sasse, R-Neb., and Reps. Jared Golden, D-Maine, and Adrian Smith, R-Neb., on local stations.