Congress in Agreement on Satellite TV Measure

House and Senate negotiators in Washington on Monday agreed on legislation aimed at giving satellite television companies, such as Hughes Electronics Corp.’s DirecTV, a boost in competing with cable TV.

The legislation would clear the way for satellite TV companies to immediately add local TV signals to their service, matching what cable competitors provide. The industry has sought access to local programs for more than two years, saying the lack of such programming hampered its ability to challenge cable, which controls 82% of the subscription TV business.

The satellite TV industry and the Clinton administration had complained that earlier versions would have required satellite companies to work out agreements with local stations before adding any programs. The conference committee addressed those concerns by giving satellite companies six months to negotiate the agreements once the law takes effect.

The agreement could be voted on by the House and Senate as early as today.

“While we do not agree with every provision included in the report, we believe that on balance it is worthy of our support,” DirecTV Chief Executive Eddy Hartenstein said in a letter to Congress.

Shares of El Segundo-based Hughes Electronics, which trade as class H shares of General Motors Corp., fell 19 cents to close at $75.94 on the New York Stock Exchange. Rival EchoStar Communications Corp. rose $7.94 to close at $78 on Nasdaq.