FCC Proposes Eliminating Sports Blackout Rule.

[elleng]

Source: nyt/reuters

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission is proposing to eliminate a nearly 40-year-old rule governing "sports blackouts," when an event that was scheduled to be televised is not aired in a particular media market.

The blackouts can prevent transmission of sports programming on local broadcast networks, such as when the local stadium did not sell out.

"Changes in the marketplace have raised questions about whether these rules are still in the public interest, particularly at a time when high ticket prices and the economy make it difficult for many sports fans to attend games," acting FCC Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn said in a statement.


Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2013/11/01/arts/01reuters-usa-broadcasting-blackout.html?hp

[neffernin]

1. Blackouts are bad business for small market teams

How are you supposed to build up a fan base when no one can watch your half of your games?

[MADem]

2. And they're also bad business for teams that are doing poorly.

How will fans ever be generated if there isn't an "easy" way to develop loyalty for a less-than-super-duper team?

I used to live for a few years (this was back in the last century in the dark ages) within walking distance of Fenway Park, and when the Sox weren't winning, there were always seats available. I was poor as dirt, but if you waited until the game started, for awhile there you could get heavily discounted bleacher seats--for like fifty cents or so. It was a tough fifty cents some days, but I got to see me some live baseball.

Fenway Park is just an unaffordable dream for me now; way too costly.

I have a good TV, though!

[pangaia]

3. Man, you should try Yankee Stadium.

Of course then you would have to watch the Yankees.
They should PAY people to do that.


Plus, Yankee Stadium isn't really Yankee Stadium.
It's just a vacation spot for the 1%.

[MADem]

6. No thanks....I'm from Boston, so you know how that works! nt

[pangaia]

8. Congrats, in that case !!

[MADem]

10. I didn't watch most of the playoff games--they won when I didn't watch.

I did watch game six, though, and I did plenty of hollering at the tee vee!!!

[neffernin]

4. I suppose that just compounds the issue

As small market teams usually spend way less on rosters so are less competitive so get less fans so spend more so.... etc.

I am 3 miles from Jobing.com arena where the Phoenix coyotes play; it is very fun hitting up a hockey game with good seats for less than 8 bucks each.

[MADem]

7. MLB gives them some of the ad revenue from TV coverage, though, I think...? nt

[davidpdx]

5. It would be nice if that got reversed

[JEFF9K]

9. All sporting events are moving to cable anyway. ...

... Yay, capitalism! (not)

[Kingofalldems]

11. K and R

[alp227]

12. original reuters link + more coverage

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/01/usa-broadcasting-blackout-idUSL1N0IM1P820131101

Buffalo News, FCC proposes eliminating TV sports blackout rules

Broadcasting & Cable, Clyburn proposes ending FCC sports blackout rules

Los Angeles Times, Acting FCC Chairwoman Clyburn looks to gut NFL blackout rule

[elleng]

13. Thanks

[yuiyoshida]

14. I am kind of surprised all of sports have not gone to pay per view.

Sort of like boxing or the Olympics. I think the higher ups in sports figured out if you made it all pay per view, they would lose a lot of money, because not everyone can afford to watch.