Sparta, WI -- U.S. Senator Russ Feingold today highlighted legislation just passed by Congress to allow satellite television providers to compete fully with cable companies, a measure that may offer relief to consumers facing rising cable rates.

"For years, local and regional cable companies have held a hammer lock on the television market, without so much as a whiff of competition from other cable companies in the vast majority of cases," Feingold said. "But that's about to change, because now satellite providers will be able to broadcast local channels for the first time, in direct competition with cable companies."

Feingold said he was pleased that this measure will soon be signed into law, giving Wisconsin's consumers a choice when they want access to a wide range of television channels. He also discussed the issues specific to rural satellite customers that will be addressed when Congress reconvenes next year. Satellite television companies have indicated that they may not deploy the necessary technology to offer local channels in smaller television markets, such as the Fox Valley, Madison, Wausau, and La Crosse/Eau Claire, because they claim it would not be cost effective. In the final measure passed by Congress, it was agreed that the issue of rural access to local broadcasts from satellite television must be addressed by the Congress no later than March 1st of next year.

"Congress has got to finish the job of offering consumer choice to all of Wisconsin's television viewers," Feingold said. "I'll keep pushing for real competition in the cable industry that will help all consumers find lower rates, and will give all customers – urban and rural – the choice of providers they deserve."

Feingold's 65th Listening Session of 1999, and the 497th since he was first elected in 1992, was held at the Barney Family Community Center beginning at 7:15 a.m. Feingold's 66th session of 1999, and 498th since he was first elected, was held at the Vernon Electric Cooperative beginning at 9:15 a.m. Feingold held his 67th session of the year and 499th since his election to the Senate at the Richland Center Municipal Building at 12:00 p.m. Feingold renewed his pledge to hold sessions in all of the state's 72 counties every year after keeping his promise to do so during his last term.