Dish asks FCC for ability to import distant local stations during carriage disputes

Present rules prevent Dish Network and DirecTV from importing distant local signals during programming related blackouts. Echostar says that should change.

Echostar Communications has petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to abolish a rule that prevents its two pay television services Dish Network and Sling TV from carrying alternative broadcast network feeds as a substitute for local TV stations during carriage disputes.

The comment was submitted to the FCC on Friday as part of the agency’s broad initiative to review, amend and revoke rules that are considered to be outdated or otherwise obsolete, a movement coined by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr as “Delete, Delete, Delete.”