WTA Files Reply Comments on Designated Market Areas and Local Programming in Rural Areas

Today, WTA filed replies to comments regarding Designated Market Areas (“DMAs”) and their impact on the availability of local programming, particularly in rural areas.  Cable operators and their customers experience a lack of access to truly relevant local programming in rural areas. WTA in its comments urges the Commission to recommend that Congress make adjustments to the existing market modification and retransmission consent regimes to allow small, rural cable operators more flexibility in the provision of local broadcast stations to consumers.