FCC Chair Proposes Rule Requiring Pay-TV Operators to Give Customers Refunds for Broadcast Blackouts
variety.comTodd Spangler NY Digital Editor If your favorite broadcast network goes dark on a cable or satellite TV provider because of a business dispute, you should get some money back, FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel says.
Rosenworcel on Wednesday announced two proposals she said would “further the FCC’s strategic goal to empower consumers in the media marketplace.” One proposal seeks comment on whether and how to require cable and satellite TV providers to issue rebates to subscribers in the event of a blackout “due to a failure to reach a retransmission consent agreement with broadcast station(s)/group owners.” The other solicits input on a rule that would force pay-TV operators to notify the FCC via an online public portal if there’s a broadcast-programming blackout 24 hours or more. “Enough with the blackouts,” Rosenworcel said in a statement. “When consumers with traditional cable and satellite service turn on the screen, they should get what they pay for.
It’s not right when big companies battle it out and leave viewers without the ability to watch the local news, their favorite show, or the big game.
If the screen stays dark, they deserve a refund.” ACA Connects, a trade group which represents 500-plus small and midsize cable companies, slammed Rosenworcel’s suggestion, arguing it would give “mega-broadcasters” even more of an advantage in carriage disputes. “The nation’s independent broadband and cable providers work hard every day to deliver high-quality programming and services to their customers at fair prices,” ACA Connects president/CEO Grant Spellmeyer said in a statement. “They hate blackouts as much as anyone.
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