SBCA Praises FCC Action Permanently Invalidating

Philadelphia’s Dish-Placement Legislation

WASHINGTON, DC. APRIL 19, 2018. The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association praised the Federal Communications Commission’s decision yesterday to permanently invalidate Philadelphia’s onerous satellite dish restrictions, which had been suspended since 2011. SBCA President Steve Hill stated: “We are pleased that the FCC found that Philadelphia’s dish-placement restrictions were unreasonable, and would have made television service much more expensive for tens of thousands of Philadelphians.” 

In 2011, the City of Philadelphia enacted legislation that would have raised prices and increased burdens for every Philadelphian subscribing to or considering satellite television—including thousands of low-income Philadelphians who rely on satellite service.

The FCC permanently invalidated Philadelphia’s dish placement legislation. It found that numerous provisions in the law—including placement restrictions, paperwork obligations, and painting requirements—unreasonably raised the cost of satellite television service, unreasonably delayed dish installation, or unreasonably hindered reception. Mr. Hill stated “We hope that other city governments considering similar restrictions will take heed of the FCC’s decision.”