Congressman Barney Frank
Representing Massachusetts' 4th District

Frank Cosponsors Bill to Help Massachusetts Cable and Satellite Television Subscribers Receive Local Stations
July 14, 2009

Congressman Barney Frank today announced that he has become an original cosponsor of a bill that would help make it possible for all Massachusetts cable and satellite television customers to receive local programming from in-state stations. 

Current law specifies that cable and satellite service providers are able to carry signals from local television stations within their media market.  These “designated market areas (DMAs) often cross state lines, so some viewers in Massachusetts  currently get Providence but not Boston stations.  Viewers in Taunton, Raynham, Easton, Mansfield and Norton are all affected.

The new legislation, the Television Freedom Act of 2009, would allow cable and satellite companies across the country to provide in-state local television programming to their customers.  The bill is targeted to affect only “orphan” counties in which residents cannot receive television programming from stations in their state.

“I am pleased to join in signing this bill in response to a large number of requests I have received from people in the Fourth Congressional District which I represent,” said Congressman Frank.  “The best source of information for members of Congress in matters of this sort is the opinion of those who are most directly affected.  I believe that the views of the people in Taunton, Raynham, Easton, Mansfield and Norton deserve a favorable response.”