BOB CORKER
TENNESSEE
http://www.corker.l:Ienllte.gov!
tlnitcd ~tatcs ~cnatc
June 14,2012
The Honorable Julius Genachowski
Chainnan
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street SW
Washington, DC 20554
Dear Chainnan Genachowski,
185 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC 20510
(202) 224-3344
FAX: l202j 228-0566
COMMITIEES:
BANKING, HOUSING
AND URBAN AFFAIRS
FOREIGN RELATiONS
ENERGY AND NATURAL ReSOURCES
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING
~P.~5
16/
Local television stations are important sources for timely, often life-saving infonnation during
times of emergency. For example, during the recent outbreak of tornadoes that battered the
middle of the country, Tennessee broadcasters and their staff worked around the clock to provide
continuous, detailed reports on stonn paths and shelter safety.
However, in Tennessee and other affected areas, Americans' access to such critical infonnation
was interrupted on many cable television systems that distribute Emergency Alert System (EAS)
warnings by an override of"all programmed channels" on their system - including local TV
stations - force-tuning all viewers to a single cable channel, as is conceived by current FCC EAS
rules. As a result, viewers in the midst ofwatching their local broadcast station's meteorologist
provide detailed infonnation, such as the expected timing and street-by-street course of an
approaching tornado, were switched away to another cable channel where an EAS alert with only
general, county-level infonnation was displayed.
I understand that FCC rules pennit broadcasters and cable TV operators to negotiate for selective
EAS overrides, thereby omitting local television stations during a cable system's EAS
interruption, as part of their retransmission consent agreement. However, it appears that cable
operators' concerns for cost and viewer welfare, along with other broadcaster priorities, have
made such arrangements rare. Given advancements in technology, as well as the often superior
safety infonnation local broadcasts are able to provide, I respectfully request that the FCC
initiate a process to engage all stakeholders to revisit the question of whether a better solution
exists that could enhance public safety. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,