The "Stop Sports Blackouts Act" directs the FCC to create regulations requiring cable and satellite providers to issue rebates to subscribers when video programming is blacked out due to failed negotiations.
Christopher Murphy
Senator
CT
The "Stop Sports Blackouts Act" directs the FCC to create regulations requiring cable and satellite providers to issue rebates to subscribers when video programming is blacked out due to retransmission consent or carriage negotiation disputes. These regulations must be established within 90 days of the bill's enactment and must define the appropriate amount for such rebates. This applies when the provider originally agreed to provide the programming at the time of subscription.
Stop Sports Blackouts Act Forces Rebates During TV Channel Disputes: FCC to Set Rules Within 90 Days
The Stop Sports Blackouts Act is stepping in to make sure you get your money back when TV channels disappear because of contract fights. This bill tells the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to set up rules forcing cable and satellite companies to give you rebates if your channels go dark during retransmission negotiations.
Turning Off the Blackouts
This bill aims to fix those annoying blackouts that happen when TV providers and content owners can't agree on prices. Instead of you losing out on shows you pay for, the "Stop Sports Blackouts Act" says providers have to pay you back. The FCC has 90 days from the bill's enactment to figure out exactly how these rebates will work, including how much you'll get back for each blacked-out channel (SEC. 2).
Real-World Check
Imagine you're a restaurant owner paying for a sports package to draw in customers on game nights. Suddenly, a key channel goes dark mid-season because of a contract dispute. Under this new rule, you'd get a rebate for that lost programming. Or, if you are paying extra for the sports tier for your cable package at home and a channel gets blacked out, you get money back. It’s about making sure you're not paying for services you're not getting.
The Clock's Ticking
The FCC has to act fast—within 90 days of this bill becoming law, they need to have the rebate rules in place (SEC. 2). This quick turnaround is meant to prevent those long, drawn-out blackouts that leave viewers in the lurch.
Potential Snags
While this all sounds good, there's a chance companies could hike up subscription prices to cover the cost of these rebates. It's also possible—though less likely—that negotiations could drag out longer if providers know they have to issue rebates, creating a weird incentive. The exact rebate amount is up to the FCC, so that's a key detail to watch (SEC. 2).
Connection to Existing Laws
This bill builds on existing laws about what "video programming" and "television broadcast stations" are, pulling definitions from sections 602 and 325(b)(7) of the Communications Act of 1934. It's adding a new layer of consumer protection to rules already in place (SEC. 2).