Television viewers in Elbert, Franklin, Hart, and Stephens counties may soon be cheering on the Bulldogs and watching Georgia news. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today dismissed a challenge from TV stations in South Carolina that wanted to keep those three counties in the Greenville-Spartanburg TV market.
The decision allows cable and satellite TV services to carry Atlanta TV stations in those areas, instead of stations out of Greenville-Spartanburg.
The FCC previously approved the satellite market modification petitions filed by the counties but they were held up when four South Carolina TV stations appealed. WYFF, WHNS, WLOS, and WSPA fought to keep the counties in their Designated Market Area (DMA). The commission also approved Elbert County’s request for market modification. The stations did not challenge that.
Barring any further appeals, Elbert, Franklin, Hart, and Stephens counties will be added to the Atlanta DMA.
Ninth District Georgia Congressman Doug Collins supported bringing Atlanta TV to the so-called ‘orphan counties.’
“For decades, residents of Franklin, Hart, Stephens and Elbert counties have been deprived of critical news, weather, and sports television coverage. But thanks to today’s ruling, orphan county residents in northeast Georgia will finally have access to the Georgia broadcasting they deserve. After years and years of advocating for this decision, I couldn’t be happier to see this finally come to fruition. I remain committed to working with the satellite companies and broadcasters until every household in all four counties has full access to Georgia television.”
Collins authored language in the 2014 Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization (STELAR) Act to allow orphan counties the ability to petition the FCC to move into a different DMA if their residents support that change.
