Sports blackout haters get to voice opinions

jbdet313 · ‎09-23-2011

The FCC is thinking about changing the blackout rules, and wants public comment.

oufanindallas · ‎02-08-2010

Has nothing to do with out of area blackouts. It's trying to stop blackouts on NFL games that aren't sold out to be able to be broadcast on TV. Guy must be in Jacksonville as 75% of their games are blacked out due to poor attendance.

"The petitioners say the rules block consumers' access to local sports events and argue that sports leagues "could privately negotiate the same results that the rule affords, and therefore the commission's rules, which tacitly endorse these private contracts, are unnecessary," the FCC pointed out in announcing the comment dates for the petition."

” Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports … all others are games.”- Ernest Hemingway

jbdet313 · ‎09-23-2011

I didn't specifically say OOM blackouts, although I can see where my post title may have given that impression.

However, I wouldn't discount a re-look at those rules, should the FCC revise the NFL ones. And if you take a second look at the NFL rules, they are the polar opposite of the others', which could lead to questioning of the necessity for them overall.

oufanindallas · ‎02-08-2010

I can actually understand the NFL Blackout rules. If the home team cannot sell out the game then it should be blacked out since there are tickets available. I understand it costs money, but that's the way the business is run. For OOM sports, it's done to protect the interest of the local teams. With the subscription services now available such as Extra Innings, League Pass, etc, fans now have the option of following their favorite team.

” Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports … all others are games.”- Ernest Hemingway

larryinfishers · ‎12-13-2011

I understand why there is anger over NFL blackouts as long as teams threaten to leave cities unless the government massively subsidizes their new stadiums with taxpayer money.

oufanindallas · ‎02-08-2010

larryinfishers wrote:
I understand why there is anger over NFL blackouts as long as teams threaten to leave cities unless the government massively subsidizes their new stadiums with taxpayer money.

But if noone shows up to the game, then the team loses money. Showing the game on TV is costing the team money if the fans aren't going to the game.

” Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports … all others are games.”- Ernest Hemingway

speedbird9 · ‎06-08-2009

oufanindallas wrote:
I can actually understand the NFL Blackout rules. If the home team cannot sell out the game then it should be blacked out since there are tickets available. I understand it costs money, but that's the way the business is run. For OOM sports, it's done to protect the interest of the local teams. With the subscription services now available such as Extra Innings, League Pass, etc, fans now have the option of following their favorite team.

Personnally, I've rather enjoyed blackout rule, because when the home market's game is blacked, chances are the audience will be treated to a REAL game! So get rid of the blackout rule if they must, but drop the must carry rule as well. Free the networks/stations to air the best game - and to switch away from the home market game if a more compelling game is being played.

mibrnsurg · ‎07-15-2008

The FCC version:

STATEMENT OF FCC COMMISSIONER ROBERT M. McDOWELL

REGARDING THE MEDIA BUREAU’S REQUEST FOR COMMENT ON THE

PETITION SEEKING ELIMINATION OF THE SPORTS BLACKOUT RULE

The following statement can be attributed to Commissioner Robert M. McDowell:
“I am delighted that the Media Bureau is requesting comment on a petition seeking elimination
of the Commission’s rules that prohibit multichannel video programming distributors from
carrying a sporting event in a community if it is blacked out by the local broadcast station.
Taking a fresh look at this 36-year-old rule could be constructive as we look for rules to
streamline and modernize. Over almost four decades, the economics and structure of both the
sports and communications industries have experienced dramatic evolutions. We now live in a
world with not only local broadcast stations, but also cable, satellite, the Internet and wireless,
and where television and merchandizing revenues exceed ticket sales. It is appropriate for us to
re-examine the rule in light of marketplace changes."

http://www.fcc.gov/document/mcdowell-statement-sports-blackout-rule-petition.

Only 1 FCC Commission member is asking about this, but is the minority party member (currently FCC only lists 3 Commisioners, 2D, 1R) Does not mean that it will ever get approvement from the full Commision.

Chris

Please NO SD stretch-o-vision or 480 SD HD Channels
1-800-288-2020, After he gets acct info, press # a bunch of times, get a menu from Mr. Voice recognition
Your Results May Vary, In My Humble Opinion
I Call It Like I See It, Simply a U-verse user, nothing more

That Don Guy · ‎11-30-2010

Does this apply to the NFL's blackout rule as a whole? It sounds more like it's talking about the rule where, for example, if a baseball or basketball game is blacked out in the home market, then all feeds that are airing that game (e.g. ESPN, TNT) have to be blacked out in that market as well. (I know there was a time when this applied to games that aired on a regional sports network - e.g. when the Atlanta Hawks had a game at Golden State, and it was on both TBS and what is now Comcast SportsNet Bay Area - the cable companies in the San Francisco area had to black out the TBS broadcast.)

mibrnsurg · ‎07-15-2008

That's actually a different blackout, 2 separate channels can not be showing the same game of any type in the same market, applies to almost any sport.

In your example, it was being shown on CSNBA and correctly had to be blacked out on TBS, happens on Uverse many times.

Chris

Please NO SD stretch-o-vision or 480 SD HD Channels
1-800-288-2020, After he gets acct info, press # a bunch of times, get a menu from Mr. Voice recognition
Your Results May Vary, In My Humble Opinion
I Call It Like I See It, Simply a U-verse user, nothing more

That Don Guy · ‎11-30-2010

mibrnsurg wrote:
That's actually a different blackout, 2 separate channels can not be showing the same game of any type in the same market, applies to almost any sport.

In your example, it was being shown on CSNBA and correctly had to be blacked out on TBS, happens on Uverse many times.

So explain why Warriors away games on TBS aired on a local San Francisco broadcast channel as well.

mibrnsurg · ‎07-15-2008

Since it is an away game, the Warriors might have waived the 1 station carry rule as there is no home gate to hurt by being on both channels. Most would choose the local feed over the National just cause they want to hear the local announcers.

Then again it could be a mistake on Uverse's part to let the National feed roll too.

Chris

Please NO SD stretch-o-vision or 480 SD HD Channels
1-800-288-2020, After he gets acct info, press # a bunch of times, get a menu from Mr. Voice recognition
Your Results May Vary, In My Humble Opinion
I Call It Like I See It, Simply a U-verse user, nothing more

dhascall · ‎04-21-2008

I've seen numerous times in MLB where the Reds are on a local and the Cubs are on WGN or when the Braves were on TBS playing Cincy or Chicago.....

mibrnsurg · ‎07-15-2008

Case in point, here in metro Detroit, we generally don't see any National feed of Red Wings, Pistons or Tigers games if it's on FSDet.

Many times when games are on a National feed, there will be no FSDet feed, so then the only one available is the National feed.

Chris

Please NO SD stretch-o-vision or 480 SD HD Channels
1-800-288-2020, After he gets acct info, press # a bunch of times, get a menu from Mr. Voice recognition
Your Results May Vary, In My Humble Opinion
I Call It Like I See It, Simply a U-verse user, nothing more