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Senior executives of 20 cable networks will descend on Capitol Hi...

Senior executives of 20 cable networks will descend on Capitol Hill today (Wed.) to lobby lawmakers against digital must- carry requirements for cable operators. In series of meetings with Congress members organized by NCTA, cable programmers plan to argue…

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that mandatory dual carriage of analog and digital broadcast signals during nation’s DTV transition would adversely affect their networks, especially their new digital offerings. NCTA spokesman said campaign, which follows hearings on digital must- carry by both House and Senate Commerce Committees earlier this year, was aimed at presenting programmers’ point of view. In those 2 hearings, cable industry was represented by cable operators only. “It’s a different perspective,” spokesman said, referring to programmers’ view. Although FCC tentatively has concluded that dual carriage would infringe too much on First Amendment rights, it hasn’t made final determination, leading broadcasters and cable interests to keep lobbying vigorously on issue. Programmers’ contingent will be led by A&E TV Networks Pres. Nick Davatzes, AMC Pres. Kate McEnroe, Court TV Pres. Dick Beahrs, Discovery Communications Pres. Judith McHale, Encore Media Group Pres. Mark Bauman.