[meyer]

Don't bet on it. Those satellites don't function without an earth station uplink. RF transmission is under the control of the FCC. Most studio/transmitter links are RF too. Again, the FCC has jurisdiction. The FCC also regulates common carrier services (phone companies) that carry studio links (audio/video/control).

The satellite itself is beyond the reach of the FCC (and even the FAA :) ), as are any earth-bound uplinks that reside out of the US.

[Myrddin]

The satellite itself is beyond the reach of the FCC (and even the FAA :) ), as are any earth-bound uplinks that reside out of the US.

The FCC has power to regulate the satellite operators. The operators want to do business with customers on U.S. soil. It is in their best interest to be cooperative. It took a long time for the FCC to permit local TV stations to be sent via satellite. The FCC rescind the permission to provide satellite service and to bill for those services on U.S. soil. They could also close the spectrum completely and reallocate it for another purpose. Your libertarian view of satellite operations doesn't square with the laws on the books.