Says government should reject broadcaster request

The American Television Alliance has urged Congress to reject the request by broadcasters that TV stations be counted individually in terms of eligibility for COVID-19 small business aid, even if they are part of a large broadcast group. 

Related: Stations Seek Billions in COVID-19 Ad Spend

ATVA, including members ACA Connects and satellite providers, have been in a running battle with broadcasters over retransmission consent issues and the money broadcasters are asking for carriage, so this is a new front. 

"Congress established the new Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) to provide relief to small businesses with fewer than 500 employees suffering due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the NAB wants to change the rules to allow large station groups like Hearst, Tegna, Sinclair, and Nexstar to participate," said ATVA. 

Related: All the Latest News on COVID-19 Impact on Industry 

The National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters also argues stations should qualify individually.