Terrestrial Radio Gets New Senate Support

Tony Sanders writes:  "On March 15, Senators Olympia Snowe, R., Maine, Max Baucus, D., Mont., and Trent Lott, R., Miss., introduced the 'Local Emergency Radio Service Preservation Act of 2006.' The bill is virtually identical to a House bill introduced last year and gives terrestrial radio a better chance to hold satellite radio to its original charter as a national service.  ¶  The bill also requires the FCC to determine whether satellite radio broadcasters can continue to offer 'locally oriented services on nationally distributed channels' (read: traffic and weather or other localized content).  ¶  Rep. Chip Pickering, R., Miss., introduced the House version of the bill in March 2005. It now has 110 cosponsors. ..."  Link:  Billboard Radio Monitor.

See also Senate Proposes "Local Emergency Radio Service Preservation Act."  Link:  FMQB.  --Dennis