Add Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., to the list of people who don't like the new commercial-skipping function, known as "the Hopper," on Dish Network's new DVR. Fox, NBC and CBS are suing Dish Network over the service, which allows subscribers to skip past commercial breaks for entire shows with the touch of one button.
At a Wednesday hearing on video distribution held by the Communications and Technology Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Dingell complained that the service will allow potential voters to skip past important commercial messages.
"I've got an election coming up, like all my colleagues," Dingell said, during his questioning of Dish Network Chairman Charlie Ergen. "We all put political ads on the local stations to reach our constituents. The Hopper potentially limits the ability of every member of this subcommittee to reach constituents to help them make up their minds on Election Day.
"Do you understand and appreciate the concerns that the politicians up here on the dais and other politicians everywhere will feel about that, yes or no?" Dingell asked.
"I understand consumers very well," Ergen said. "I'm not a politician, so I can't tell you I appreciate their concerns."
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