Congress gives satellite legislation a 60-day extension

Congress has passed legislation that extends the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act (SHVERA) by 60 days.

Passed Dec. 19 as an amendment to the Defense Appropriations Bill, the extension allows satellite companies to extend important distant network signals to viewers who can’t receive a reliable signal from their local affiliate station. The legislation would have expired on Dec. 31.

The extension buys more time for the lawmakers to work out a solution. Included is an arrangement that would allow DISH Network back into the distant network signal business in exchange for delivering local TV station signals into all 210 TV markets.