Congress Eyes 2000

Eric Glick

Congress returns next month - technically next year - and it has a host of telecom issues to resolve, but observers question whether lawmakers will get to most of them.

In large part, there isn't much momentum to open the can of worms known collectively as open - or forced - access. So say people who spend a lot of time on Capitol Hill. Beyond that, lawmakers are looking down the barrel of an election year, which means they'll spend time fundraising, kissing babies, shaking hands and doing their best to get back to their home districts a little earlier than usual.

Then there are the unresolved provisions that lawmakers cropped off the Satellite Home Viewer Act (SHVA) which they passed just before adjourning for the holiday recess. That includes provisions for rural satellite companies and how to treat streaming video under current copyright law.

Still, there are a couple of key issues that some in Congress want to resolve early next year. Key among them is a controversial provision that almost killed SHVA in the last Congressional session. That legislation - which would secure about $1.25 billion in subsidies for rural satellite companies - will come up for hearings upon lawmakers' return, and some have promised legislation no later than April. But, these things have a way of slipping.

Besides, because so many lawmakers are eager to get their mitts on the rural loan guarantees, the provision may get bogged down in red tape and jurisdictional fights.

"Potentially, three or four committees in both houses could get their hands on the rural subsidy bills," said a Capitol Hill observer.

U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Texas), who chairs the Senate Banking Committee - and who successfully got the provision wiped off the SHVA bill - said he wants first crack at the rural subsidy legislation.

But other congressional panels, including the House and Senate Commerce Committees and the Agriculture Commit-tees as well as the Judiciary Committees have already claimed some jurisdiction.

The SHVA bill also passed without language regarding how to treat video streaming over the Internet as far as copyright is concerned. That's already a divisive issue and promises to offer even more controversy as time marches on. But, at least for now, it appears only two committees - Judiciary and Commerce - would debate potential legislation

As for open access legislation - that is, a law that would mandate Internet service providers could get an on-ramp onto any high-speed modem service - there just seems to be too little momentum for Congress to do it. And that type of legislation is also tied to whether the Baby Bells - such as Bell Atlantic Corp. - would get the chance to offer long-distance nationwide. Such approval would launch Bell Atlantic into the data business as well, observers note, and it would go head-to-head with MSOs offering high-speed service. That, in turn, would obviate the need for legislation because it would increase the competition in the high-speed market, observers point out.

Longtime TVKO veteran Dan York recently joined Viewer's Choice/In Demand as SVP-programming, development & event acquisition.

Why the move?

Deciding to leave HBO was an extremely difficult decision, one of the hardest I've ever made. But the opportunity that In Demand presents was too great to pass up. We are uniquely positioned to have a tremendous impact on television and I'm excited to be in this role.

Ring sports aside, what PPV events can make a splash with viewers/operators?

Polka festivals. Hey, it's how HBO started and they've done pretty well.

Can concerts or other events become monthly franchises?

Yes, just look at the success of things like the WWF, WCW, concerts like The Backstreet Boys and big boxing events. It's a lot to ask of someone to spend their hard-earned money on a TV program every month or so, but with the right mix of variables - it can be done.

How do you plan to attract new event talent to In Demand?

The creative community needs to be more aware of the tremendous promotional value that comes with doing a project with us. We offer a forum where they can gain exposure for themselves, and on an ancillary basis, their products; as well as profits from the PPV telecast.

What will it be like sitting on the other side of the negotiating table from TVKO?

Pure torture (laughs). The VC/TVKO dialogue has always been open, honest and forthright and should be more so going forward. If they think for one second they can pull any of my old tricks on me, they've got another thing coming (laughs)!