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  • TITLE IX
  • STADIUM SUBSIDIES
  • TV BLACKOUTS
Winning Issue » TV BLACKOUTS


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: S.1748 - Furthering Access and Networks for Sports Act (116th Congress)
Prospective Sponsor: Sen. Richard Blumenthal (CT)



Polling Options

  • I oppose reforming current TV blackout policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Leader Charles Schumer (NY).
  • I support revoking the league’s exemptions to antitrust laws unless it ends the requirement that local broadcasters black out games, and ensuring any game that is blacked out is available online without charge by: 1.) Prohibiting a sponsored telecast from removing the live content of a sports league from a multichannel video programming distributor during, or related to a negotiation regarding, carriage of the league's games by such distributor. 2.) Making the telecast of a game that is played in the home territory of a sports team available to consumers over the internet in any territory in which the game is not available for private viewing through a local television broadcast station. 3.) Repealing the exception that allows the antitrust exemption to prohibit televising games within the home territory of a member club on a day when such club is playing at home. And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Sen. Richard Blumenthal (CT) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.


Winning Option

  • I support revoking the league’s exemptions to antitrust laws unless it ends the requirement that local broadcasters black out games, and ensuring any game that is blacked out is available online without charge by:

    1.) Prohibiting a sponsored telecast from removing the live content of a sports league from a multichannel video programming distributor during, or related to a negotiation regarding, carriage of the league's games by such distributor.

    2.) Making the telecast of a game that is played in the home territory of a sports team available to consumers over the internet in any territory in which the game is not available for private viewing through a local television broadcast station.

    3.) Repealing the exception that allows the antitrust exemption to prohibit televising games within the home territory of a member club on a day when such club is playing at home.

    And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Sen. Richard Blumenthal (CT) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.
You May Pledge Your Support For This Issue With A Monetary
Donation And By Writing A Letter To Your Representatives
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Pledge Period - Opening Date
November 15, 2021
Pledge Period - Closing Date
November 21, 2021
Trustee Election - Begins
November 22, 2021


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