the FCC might be able to fanagle their way into regulating cable, but I would say that satellites are well out of their jurisdiction.
Wasn't there a case a few years ago where some state like Tennessee or Alabama, or somewhere, brought a lawsuit against not only some porno satellite channel, but also the "stars" themselves?
Seems like someone thought that broadcasting smut onto "their" turf was a punishable offense.
What about if it has been to a bird before the cable company sends it to my house?
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).