Section 76.59, Definition of Markets for Purposes of the Cable Television Mandatory Television Broadcast Signal Carriage Rules

On September 2, 2015, the Commission released a Report and Order (Order), FCC 15-111, in MB Docket No. 15-71, adopting satellite television market modification rules ‎to implement Section 102 of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA) Reauthorization Act of 2014 (STELAR). The STELAR amended the Communications Act and the Copyright Act to give the Commission authority to modify a commercial television broadcast station’s local television market – defined by The Nielsen Company’s Designated Market Area (DMA) in which it is located – to include additional communities or exclude communities for purposes of better effectuating satellite carriage rights. ‎The Commission previously had the authority to modify a station’s market only in the cable carriage context. With Section 102 of the STELAR, Congress provides regulatory parity in this regard and intends to promote consumer access to in-state and other relevant television programming. Section 102 of the STELAR, and the Commission’s actions in the Report and Order, establish a market modification process for the satellite carriage context and, to the extent possible, seek to address satellite subscribers’ inability to receive in-state programming in certain areas, sometimes called “orphan counties.” In the Report and Order, consistent with Congress’ intent that the Commission model the satellite market modification process on the current cable market modification process, the Commission implements Section 102 of the STELAR by revising the current cable market modification rule, Section 76.59, to apply also to satellite carriage, while adding provisions to the rules to address the unique nature of satellite television service.

The latest form for Section 76.59, Definition of Markets for Purposes of the Cable Television Mandatory Television Broadcast Signal Carriage Rules expires 2021-12-31 and can be found here.