WASHINGTON – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) seeking comment on how the FCC should implement portions of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization (STELAR) that allows satellite carriers to modify what stations they deliver to consumers.  Sen. Ron Johnson made the following statement: 

“Last year, I was pleased to support a provision in STELAR that created a process to petition the FCC to allow satellite providers to carry in-state signals.  Wisconsinites in Hurley, Ashland and Rice Lake are all located in Minnesota media markets, preventing their access to Wisconsin news and Packers games.  STELAR was an important first step in that it set up a process at the FCC and emphasized the importance of station signals that originate in the viewer’s state of residence. 

“Today, I commend the FCC for taking another important step by implementing rules outlining how the petition process will work.”   

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