Final answer:
Whether a landlord can prevent a tenant from installing a satellite dish due to an existing agreement with a television service provider depends on lease terms and federal laws like the OTARD rule. The FCC's indecency restrictions do not apply to subscription-based services such as satellite TV which grants viewers more control over their content.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ability to restrict a tenant from installing a satellite dish when there is an agreement with a third party to provide television services depends on various factors, including local laws, lease agreements, and regulations by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
In general, the Commission's enforcement of indecency restrictions applies to broadcast channels but does not extend to cable or satellite services because they are subscription-based and deemed to impart greater viewer control over incoming content.
Consequently, unlike broadcasters, cable and satellite operators are excepted from indecency restrictions, with the exception that obscene material is not protected by the Constitution and is prohibited across the board.
Landlords looking to enforce third-party agreements concerning television services must refer to the terms of their tenant leases and also be cognizant of federal laws, such as the Over-the-Air Reception Devices (OTARD) rule, that provide protections for a tenant's right to install reception devices like satellite dishes under certain conditions.