SPORTS »» REGULATION »» TV BLACKOUTS »» Mar 25, 2024

A sports blackout is when a sports event that was scheduled to be televised is not aired in a particular media market. For example, NBA League Pass uses viewer’s IP address to determine their location, resulting in a game being blacked out when a local or national broadcaster has the exclusive rights to televise that game. By allowing teams to black out national telecasts of games that are also being shown by a local broadcaster, many viewers are forced to purchase subscription-based out-of-market sports packages. The NFL requires local broadcast stations to black out games that don't sell out. In 2014, the FCC voided the rule that banned cable and satellite companies from showing games blacked out on local broadcast channels saying, “The federal government should not be party to sports teams keeping their fans from viewing the games.” However, even after this FCC ruling, the NFL still makes deals with cable and satellite providers to black out certain games. Proposed Legislation: Reintroduction of S.1748 - Furthering Access and Networks for Sports Act (116th Congress 2019-2020) Prospective Sponsor: Sen. Richard Blumenthal (CT)