Satellite Firms Get House OK to Carry Local Shows

WASHINGTON — The House passed legislation Tuesday to allow satellite television firms to carry for the first time local programming from stations around the country. The legislation, which must be approved by the Senate, is expected to boost satellite TV firms such as Hughes Electronics Corp.’s DirecTV and Echostar Communications Corp. as competitors to land-based cable monopolies.

Under the bill, approved on a 411-8 vote, satellite TV firms could immediately begin carrying hundreds of local TV channels but would have to negotiate compensation agreements with the stations within six months.