Another Day, Another Broadcaster Blackout As the FCC Sits on Rulemaking

No Relief for Viewers After Fifteen Months

WASHINGTON D.C.  June 1, 2012 — Last March, ATVA, policymakers and consumer groups applauded the FCC for launching a retransmission consent rulemaking.  While the Commission has received several rounds of comments and reviewed options over the past fifteen months, they have taken no action. In the meantime, broadcasters have continued their bullying tactics, exploiting outdated rules to black out viewers in more than 70 markets.  The latest outrage is in Louisville, where viewers lost FOX and MyNetwork affiliates this morning.  Until the FCC or Congress acts, no community is immune from losing their local stations to broadcaster greed.