Cable Competition Bill Heads To Joint Finance Committee
Some Want Provision To Settle Network Disputes
Updated: 9:20 pm CDT October 30, 2007
MADISON, Wis. -- A bill going to the state's Joint Finance Committee on Wednesday could change the climate for cable TV in the state.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportAnd with some fans upset about their cable not carrying the new Big Ten or NFL networks, there's discussion of making that happen through legislation as well.The bipartisan cable competition bill has passed the Assembly and is scheduled to be in Joint Finance Committee Wednesday on its way back to the Senate. But recent news of more University of Wisconsin Football games being carried on the Big Ten Network have some itching for a deal between the network and cable companies.Two big upcoming games on the networks won't be viewable to most cable subscribers across the state. Wisconsin's game against Ohio State this Saturday is on the Big Ten Network, while the Packers-Cowboys match next month will be on the NFL Network.The cable competition bill allows phone companies to offer video service and gives franchising power to the state instead of local governments. But many sports fans are wondering whether a provision will be added to end the ongoing dispute between local cable companies like Charter and the Big Ten Network.New Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker has said he'd like the issue to be resolved. But the bill's co-author said he'd rather see the same version of the bill passed as went through the Assembly."I hope we don't amend this bill, but believe me, I would love nothing more to have the Big Ten Network and the NFL Network carried, and there's a separate bill to do that," said Sen. Jeff Plale, of South Milwaukee, co-author of the cable bill.That separate bill was announced Tuesday by Democratic Sen. Dave Hansen and Republican Rep. Kitty Rhodes. The Fair Access to Networks or "FAN" legislation would allow an independent arbiter to select between proposals and solve the network disputes.Those disputes have kept the channels off of major cable networks serving Wisconsin. They are available on some satellite networks.The proposal is being circulated among lawmakers to gather co-sponsors.Plale said he's asking that the bill come through the Joint Finance Committee Wednesday with no amendments, but said an amendment about the network provision is likely to be offered once the bill comes back to the floor of the Senate.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportAnd with some fans upset about their cable not carrying the new Big Ten or NFL networks, there's discussion of making that happen through legislation as well.The bipartisan cable competition bill has passed the Assembly and is scheduled to be in Joint Finance Committee Wednesday on its way back to the Senate. But recent news of more University of Wisconsin Football games being carried on the Big Ten Network have some itching for a deal between the network and cable companies.Two big upcoming games on the networks won't be viewable to most cable subscribers across the state. Wisconsin's game against Ohio State this Saturday is on the Big Ten Network, while the Packers-Cowboys match next month will be on the NFL Network.The cable competition bill allows phone companies to offer video service and gives franchising power to the state instead of local governments. But many sports fans are wondering whether a provision will be added to end the ongoing dispute between local cable companies like Charter and the Big Ten Network.New Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker has said he'd like the issue to be resolved. But the bill's co-author said he'd rather see the same version of the bill passed as went through the Assembly."I hope we don't amend this bill, but believe me, I would love nothing more to have the Big Ten Network and the NFL Network carried, and there's a separate bill to do that," said Sen. Jeff Plale, of South Milwaukee, co-author of the cable bill.That separate bill was announced Tuesday by Democratic Sen. Dave Hansen and Republican Rep. Kitty Rhodes. The Fair Access to Networks or "FAN" legislation would allow an independent arbiter to select between proposals and solve the network disputes.Those disputes have kept the channels off of major cable networks serving Wisconsin. They are available on some satellite networks.The proposal is being circulated among lawmakers to gather co-sponsors.Plale said he's asking that the bill come through the Joint Finance Committee Wednesday with no amendments, but said an amendment about the network provision is likely to be offered once the bill comes back to the floor of the Senate. Copyright 2007 by Channel 3000. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
