Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill creates a new federal tax credit to encourage cable companies, satellite TV providers, and streaming services to carry channels from independent programmers. Under the legislation, eligible video distributors can claim a tax credit of up to 10 cents per subscriber per month for carrying independent programming, with a maximum annual credit of 30 cents per subscriber. To qualify, distributors must enter into written agreements to offer at least 40 percent of their subscriber base access to the independent programmer's channels and pay licensing fees. The bill defines "qualified independent programmers" as U.S.-based companies that produce or distribute video programming but are not owned or controlled by major broadcasters, networks, or publicly traded media companies. The legislation takes effect immediately upon enactment and requires the Federal Communications Commission to submit biennial reports to Congress on the number of independent programmers being distributed and recommendations for increasing their carriage.
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