SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 67
WHEREAS, Echostar Communications Corporation proposes to acquire Hughes Electronics; and
WHEREAS, through their services known as Dish Network and DirecTV, the two companies together control virtually one hundred percent of the market for direct broadcast satellite services (DBS); and
WHEREAS, a significant portion of Missourians have no option for multi-channel programming services other than through satellite services; and
WHEREAS, Echostar's acquisition of DirecTV would result in the consolidation of the DBS industry to one DBS provider; and
WHEREAS, there is no reliable mechanism to enforce the commitments by Echostar and DirecTV to provide a national pricing plan, rural broadband and local television stations into the local television markets; and
WHEREAS, competition is the best way to ensure innovation, quality service and a fair price to consumers; and
WHEREAS, the companies have made application to the Federal Communications Commission asking that they be allowed to transfer licenses to complete the merger; and
WHEREAS, the companies have notified the Department of Justice, as required by federal law, of their intent to merge:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the members of the Senate of the Ninety-first General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the state of Missouri believes that continued competition in the marketplace by retaining independent DBS companies is the best way to provide continued pricing incentives, technological innovations and more choices for consumers, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state of Missouri does not believe it to be in the best interest of consumers for this merger to be approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice.