Bennet Welcomes DirecTV’s Move to Offer Additional Denver Television Station Access in Southwest Colorado

Following Bennet Push, DirecTV Will Now Provide Denver’s KDVR-FOX 31 to Residents in La Plata County

Denver – Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet applauded an agreement between DirecTV and Denver’s FOX31 (KDVR-TV) to launch in-state programming for subscribers in La Plata County. The announcement comes on the heels of a letter spearheaded by Bennet, along with U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), U.S. Representative Scott Tipton (R-Colo.), and Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, who called on Denver broadcasters and national satellite companies, including DirecTV, to reach an agreement to provide residents in Southwest Colorado access to critical in-state programming during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Last week, DirecTV announced it would begin airing Denver7, the local ABC affiliate. Two weeks ago, DISH Network announced that it would broadcast Denver7 and FOX31 to subscribers in La Plata County.   

“At a time when critical news is coming from our governor and state officials every single day, it is unconscionable that La Plata residents haven’t had access to in-state programming,” said Bennet. “After years of work, we’re pleased to  finally see progress over the past few weeks, and I applaud DIRECTV and FOX31 for this important step forward. With that said, our work isn’t done until we make sure that every Coloradan has access to Colorado news.” 

Since coming to the Senate, Bennet has worked alongside officials from La Plata County to help residents access in-state broadcasts for news, weather, emergency information, and sports. In 2010, Bennet pushed Congress to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to report on potential solutions to bring Colorado broadcasts to the two counties. In 2014, Bennet secured language in the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization (STELAR) Act to help La Plata and Montezuma access in-state broadcasts from cable and satellite providers. 

Following passage of the STELAR Act, Bennet, along with Gardner and Tipton, wrote to the FCC requesting a rule change to allow counties to petition the FCC to change their broadcasting markets to allow in-state programming. After the FCC finalized the rule to allow for such petitions, Bennet worked with county commissioners in La Plata to submit one. The FCC approved La Plata’s petition in 2017.