Receive Commitment to Seek a Solution So Wisconsinites In Out-of-State TV Markets Can Watch Packers Games At Home

Washington, D.C. – Wisconsin’s U.S. Senators Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl made a key advance in their efforts to make it easier for residents living in northern and western Wisconsin to receive Wisconsin-related television programming, such as news and sports. In the Senate Judiciary Committee today, Feingold and Kohl sparked a spirited discussion on the issue and similar situations in other states and secured an agreement from Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chairman of the Committee, to work with them and other committee members to find a solution to this issue before the Satellite Television Modernization Act of 2009 becomes law.

Currently, 13 Wisconsin counties are part of Minnesota or Michigan television markets, leaving many of their 157,210 households subject to television programming that may be tailored to residents outside Wisconsin. While local cable systems have often found ways to provide Wisconsin-based programming, for residents without cable as an option there is no choice. This is particularly a problem with news and sports programming such as Green Bay Packers football games. Residents in northwestern Wisconsin who are Packers fans may only have access to Minnesota Vikings games in their homes if the teams are playing against different opponents at the same time. Feingold and Kohl’s amendment addresses the frustration they have heard from these Wisconsinites by making it clear that satellite providers are allowed to retransmit Wisconsin-based signals to these Wisconsin counties, while respecting network and syndication agreements.

“Today, we moved the ball down the field toward helping folks in northern and western Wisconsin receive Green Bay Packers games and other Wisconsin-focused television programming on their TVs at home,” Feingold said.  “For years now when I have town hall meetings in northern and western Wisconsin counties, I hear concerns from folks that they are not able to receive Wisconsin news, weather and sports. I am pleased that the Judiciary Committee Chairman was receptive to our concerns and I will keep working on behalf of Wisconsinites.  While much of the discussion surrounded the Packers, I reminded my colleagues that we Badgers are tenacious.” 

“Rural counties in Northern Wisconsin should not be subject to different programming than the rest of the state because of their location. From breaking news to home team sports, these households should have access state based programming and not be limited only to out of state coverage,” Kohl said. “I look forward to working with Senator Feingold and our colleagues to come up with a solution that will make sure these families can get the Wisconsin based news and sports programs they want and fairly deserve.”

Feingold and Kohl offered an amendment to the Satellite Television Modernization Act of 2009 currently being considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Respecting the desire of the Chairman for more time to work out an agreement on this issue, they agreed not to seek a vote on the amendment in Committee, so they can work with Leahy to try to address the concerns before the bill comes to the Senate floor. Satellite subscribers in the following Wisconsin counties are currently deprived of Wisconsin programming: Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglass, Dunn, Florence, Iron, Pierce, Polk, Sawyer, St. Croix, and Washburn. Similar exceptions have already been made for counties in other states like Vermont, Mississippi, Oregon and New Hampshire. Feingold and Kohl’s amendment now awaits combination with a Commerce Committee bill and consideration by the full Senate.