ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 11, 1996 TAG: 9601110120
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
SOURCE: Associated Press
Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole promised Wednesday to block a bill overhauling the nation's telecommunications laws unless it is rewritten to make broadcasters pay the government up to $70 billion for quality-image TV channels.
Dole's objection to what he calls a ``corporate welfare'' provision that would give the channels to broadcasters for free poses another obstacle to final passage of the bill.
House Republicans also have raised objections to the measure, saying it doesn't provide enough freedom to media and telephone companies.
Reopening negotiations on the bill threatens to unravel a delicately crafted agreement among key House and Senate negotiators and the White House.
The bill's primary author, Sen. Larry Pressler, R-S.D., was not immediately available for comment. The broadcasting industry supports the bill as currently written.
Dole, in remarks on the Senate floor, said he doesn't like a provision that essentially gives broadcasters for free a second channel that they'll need to implement digital television.
Though the telecommunications bill lets broadcasters get the digital channels for free, they would be required to pay the government a fee if they charge for services carried on the channel.
As they convert to digital, broadcasters will use two TV channels, transmitting in analog on one and in digital on a second. That way existing TV sets won't be rendered useless immediately.
LENGTH: Short : 39 linesby CNB