Retransmission Consent Issues Examined in Upcoming Live Webcast
As the latest cycle of retransmission consent negotiations draws to a close, battles between local broadcast stations and programming distributors continue unabated. These disputes have resulted in retransmission rate hikes, requests for FCC intervention in disputes, proposals to eliminate the retransmission consent rules entirely, and regional blackouts of major sporting events and other channels. Meanwhile, the FCC has yet to act on proposed reforms to its retransmission consent rules proposed in March 2011.
These issues will be examined by an expert panel in a webcast carried on Broadband TV US on Thursday, January 26, 2012, from 1:00-2:30 p.m. (EST). Co-hosts Marty Stern of K&L Gates and Jim Baller of the Baller Herbst Law Group will be joined by John Bergmayer of Public Knowledge; Toni Bush of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom; John Hane of Winthrop, Shaw, Pittman; Ross Lieberman of the American Cable Association; Cristina Pauze of Time Warner Cable; and Richard Waysdorf of Starz. The webcast will examine all sides of the debate over whether the rules governing retransmission consent for local broadcast stations should be reformed.
You can access the webcast here (free registration required).