S. 2711: Go Pack Go Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Go Pack Go Act of 2025, seeks to amend regulations in the Communications Act of 1934 and Title 17 of the United States Code to improve access to television broadcast programming for cable and satellite subscribers living in certain counties, specifically in Wisconsin. The key provisions of the bill can be summarized as follows:

Carriage of Network Station Signals

The bill establishes requirements that cable operators and satellite carriers must follow regarding retransmission of television signals:

• Subscribers in designated "covered counties" will have the choice to receive signals from local network stations or from network stations that are in-state but in adjacent markets.
• The defined terms include:
  • Cable operator: A company that provides cable TV services.
  • Covered counties: Counties in Wisconsin like Ashland, Barron, and others specified in the bill.
  • Local network station: A network station affiliated with a television network within the subscriber's local market.

Subscriber Options

Subscribers in covered counties can elect to receive:

• The signal of their local network station.
• Signals from in-state adjacent market network stations.
• Both options simultaneously.

Technical Feasibility

Satellite carriers are only required to provide these retransmissions if it is technically feasible to do so, as determined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Exemptions and Conditions

Several exemptions and conditions are provided in the bill:

• If a subscriber chooses only in-state, adjacent-market network station retransmission, this will fulfill the cable operator's obligation to provide local station signals.
• Retransmission from an in-state adjacent-market network station will not count against any limits on retransmission quantities that cable operators usually face.

Copyright License Availability

The bill also provisions for copyright licenses regarding secondary transmissions (i.e., delivering broadcast signals) by satellite carriers:

• It stipulates how retransmissions to covered counties will not count against the subscriber limits set for satellite services.
• Specific definitions for "in-state, adjacent-market network station retransmission" are included to clarify what these transmissions entail.

Regulatory Impact

These changes aim to enhance service options for subscribers in specified counties, aligning with local media needs and preferences. By allowing more flexibility, the bill intends to better accommodate the viewing habits of residents in these areas.

Relevant Companies

• CMCSA (Comcast Corporation): As a major cable provider, Comcast may need to alter its retransmission agreements and potentially expand its service offerings depending on the new regulations.
• DTV (DirecTV): A satellite provider, which will have to adjust its services and possibly increase local programming availability for covered counties.
• T (AT&T Inc.): As a telecommunications provider offering DirecTV services, it may also be affected by changes in retransmission policies for its satellite offerings.