Proposed $9 Million Fine Underscores Need To End Broadcaster Blackouts WASHINGTON, DC – The American Television Alliance (ATVA) today responded to the FCC’s ...
TELL CONGRESS: End Broadcaster TV Blackouts Now
News
Keep up with the latest American Television Alliance updates:
ATVA’s Statement On Apollo’s Blackout Of DISH Customers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, Apollo Global Management blacked out DISH customers’ access to its channels in 10 markets across the country. “It is disapp ...
ATVA: Individual Television Stations Do Not “Operate Independently” of Large Station Group Owners
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congress established the new Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) to provide relief to small businesses with fewer than 500 employees from suf ...
Broadcasters often unilaterally remove their channels from TV lineups, blacking out content from cable and satellite subscribers. Broadcasters then hold their channels for ransom until TV providers agree to pay more – the same channels that are available free over-the-air. These payments to broadcasters for “free” TV– so-called retrans fees – have soared in recent years, going from $200 million in 2006 to $11.7 billion in 2019 (an astounding 5,359 percent increase). Retrans fees are padding broadcasters’ bottom lines and costing customers billions more every year with no sign of stopping. Retrans fees are the fastest rising part of your monthly pay TV bill.
In the last decade, Broadcasters have weaponized TV blackouts, targeting live sports and other must-see TV on channels like ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC to inflict maximum pain on innocent consumers.
The ATVA’s mission is simple: to give consumers a voice and protect them from abusive broadcaster behavior. We seek to reform outdated rules that harm consumers and do not reflect today’s competitive video marketplace. We are united in our determination to ensure the best viewing experience at an affordable price and to end the menace of intentional broadcaster blackouts.
Followers: 901
17 hours ago
Serious reform is needed regarding the retransmission negotiations process. This was a great first step from @FCC! 👏 https://t.co/vNsjwzobDn
Serious reform is needed regarding the retransmission negotiations process. This was a great first step from @FCC! 👏 https://t.co/vNsjwzobDn
2 days ago
Even during the pandemic, when access to local news and information has been critical, #BigBroadcast has used needless blackouts of local programming as a negotiation weapon. @FCC took a big step to ending blackouts for consumers. More via @GeoffreyStarks: https://t.co/lDLeuLG4WT
Even during the pandemic, when access to local news and information has been critical, #BigBroadcast has used needless blackouts of local programming as a negotiation weapon. @FCC took a big step to ending blackouts for consumers. More via @GeoffreyStarks: https://t.co/lDLeuLG4WT
2 days ago
ICYMI: @FCC voted unanimously to deny appeal of its good-faith retransmission negotiation decision, proposing fines of more than $9 million on the associated broadcasters – a positive first effort to hold #BigBroadcast accountable. https://t.co/UqBI0TB0Wx
ICYMI: @FCC voted unanimously to deny appeal of its good-faith retransmission negotiation decision, proposing fines of more than $9 million on the associated broadcasters – a positive first effort to hold #BigBroadcast accountable. https://t.co/UqBI0TB0Wx
2 days ago
We agree with Commissioner @GeoffreyStarks – service blackouts during retransmission negotiations only hurt consumers. We applaud the @FCC for standing with consumers over #BigBroadcast. https://t.co/lDLeuLXFOr
We agree with Commissioner @GeoffreyStarks – service blackouts during retransmission negotiations only hurt consumers. We applaud the @FCC for standing with consumers over #BigBroadcast. https://t.co/lDLeuLXFOr
2 days ago
A blow to #BigBroadcast – we hope this is only the beginning of the @FCC’s reexamination of the broken retransmission consent marketplace. https://t.co/UqBI0TSCl7
A blow to #BigBroadcast – we hope this is only the beginning of the @FCC’s reexamination of the broken retransmission consent marketplace. https://t.co/UqBI0TSCl7