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The FCC overseas policies, rules, procedures
and standards for licensing and regulating satellite space and earth
station facilities, both domestic and international.
Can I place my satellite dish anywhere on my property?
In general, a satellite dish that is 1 meter (39.37
inches) or less may be installed on an area that you own or where you have
exclusive use. There are some restrictions that apply. For more
information, please refer to our fact
sheet on Over-the-Air Reception Devices.
What is the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act of
1999?
The Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act of 1999
("SHVIA") significantly modifies the Satellite Home Viewer Act
of 1988, the Communications Act and the U.S. Copyright Act. SHVIA is
designed to promote competition among multichannel video programming
distributors, such as satellite companies and cable television operators,
while at the same time increasing the programming choices available to
consumers.
How does SHVIA affect the programming that is
available to persons who subscribe to satellite TV service?
SHVIA permits satellite companies to provide local
broadcast TV signals to all subscribers who reside in the local TV station’s
market (also referred to as a Designated Market Area ("DMA")),
as defined by Nielsen Media Research. This ability to provide local
broadcast channels is commonly referred to as "local into local"
service. SHVIA also permits satellite companies to provide
"distant" network broadcast stations to eligible satellite
subscribers.
Must a satellite company provide local channels to any
subscriber who wants the channels?
No. The satellite company has the option of providing
local-into-local service, but is not required to do so. Some satellite
companies are already providing this service in selected markets.
Subscribers should contact their satellite company to determine whether
and when the service will be available in their specific DMA and which DMA
applies to them.
Where can I obtain more information on SHVIA?
For more information on SHVIA, please refer to our SHVIA
fact sheet.
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