Locast Could Spark Copyright, Video Legislative Battles, Analyst Levin Says

The Locast service streaming broadcast signals in a small number of cities (see 1801110026) isn't now a big disruptive business threat to broadcasters but could spur a legislative battle over rewriting broadcast video rules, New Street Research analyst Blair Levin wrote investors Thursday. He said the Satellite TV Extension and Localism Act reauthorization this year could be a vehicle for some broadcasters to try to bar the type of signal retransmission that Locast is doing. He said opening that door could lead to attempts to get other amendments into a reauthorization bills that could end must carry or revise retransmission consent.