Skip to main content
Image
Photo of Committee panel

Pallone Introduces Viewer Protection Act

July 20, 2017

Bill Protects Broadcast Television Viewers and Mobile Broadband Users

Washington, D.C. – Today, Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) introduced the Viewer Protection Act, (H.R. __), which would establish a Viewer Protection Fund to fully protect broadcast viewers and expeditiously get new mobile broadband spectrum into the hands of consumers. The bill would do that by ensuring enough funds exist to cover costs related to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)'s Incentive Auction repack. Introduction of the bill comes after the FCC's Incentive Auction Task Force announced last week that broadcasters have requested $2.1 billion – significantly more than the $1.75 billion set aside – to cover costs related to the auction.

"The FCC's incentive auction was the second largest auction in history, and the result of years of successful work. But with an anticipated shortfall of more than a quarter billion dollars for repacking, it's time for Congress to step in to make sure that no viewers lose their signal," said Pallone. "I understand how important it is to have access to local news and information—especially during an emergency. That's why the Viewer Protection Act provides additional funding and ensures consumers will understand the coming changes, so that no consumer will be left in the dark when stations change channels. At the same time, our bill will ensure consumers of mobile broadband reap the benefits of the incentive auction as soon as possible."

The Viewer Protection Act would:

  • Create a $1 Billion Emergency Fund to Keep Viewers' TVs from Going Dark: The money will be authorized – if the FCC certifies to the Treasury Department that it is needed – to the reimbursement fund for TV station relocation costs.
  • Fund a $90 Million Viewer Education Effort: Authorized for the FCC to conduct an outreach campaign to consumers to inform and educate them about changes resulting from the broadcast TV incentive auction channel reassignments.
  • Use Viewer Protection Fund Money to Help Stations: Allows the FCC to use Viewer Protection Fund money to reimburse both FM radio stations and multi-channel video distributors for reasonable costs incurred related to the reorganization of TV broadcast stations.
  • Assist Low Power TV Stations: Allows the FCC to use any leftover money from the Viewer Protection Fund to assist low power TV stations that are displaced due to the full-power TV station reorganization.
  • Give Leeway in Transition Periods: Requires the FCC to delegate authority to the Media Bureau to both modify the transition periods for the relocation of TV stations in order to ensure that stations are not forced to stop broadcasting due to reasons outside of their control, and impose appropriate penalties for any station that fails to complete its relocation within the transition period.

Full text of the bill can be found here.