Re: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules
Way back on Monday, November 4, 2013 at 2:21 PM, Doug Fields d...@flids.net wrote: Hmmm…now that I read back over this thread, maybe we **are** talking about two different things. I’m specifically talking about the NFL’s blackout rule. I’m not aware of any rules affecting the broadcast of the home games of any of the other major sports. After finally doing a couple Google searches, there are two things in play here: Public Law 93-107ftp://ftp.fcc.gov/pub/Bureaus/OSEC/library/legislative_histories/938.pdf, which covers the NFL blackout law. That law expired in 1975. The FCC has nothing to do with this (and here's the PDFhttp://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/sportsblackouts.pdftelling you as much). The FCC rule original published in 1975 which covers the blacking out WGN America in Pittsburgh if the game is on an OTA station situation (here's the updated rule http://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/47/76.111). This, apparently, is what the acting commissioner was talking about, because it's the only thing the FCC has a say in when it comes to blackouts. And apparently few people understand the difference between the twohttp://entertainment.time.com/2013/11/05/the-fcc-may-end-its-sports-blackout-rules/ . I apologize for all the confusion I caused on this thing. I'll go sit in the corner for a while and think about what I've done. -- -- TV or Not TV The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TV or Not TV group. To post to this group, send email to tvornottv@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to tvornottv-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TVorNotTV group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tvornottv+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
Re: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules
On Fri, Nov 8, 2013 at 1:58 PM, Joe Hass hassgoc...@gmail.com wrote: Way back on Monday, November 4, 2013 at 2:21 PM, Doug Fields d...@flids.net wrote: Hmmm…now that I read back over this thread, maybe we **are** talking about two different things. I’m specifically talking about the NFL’s blackout rule. I’m not aware of any rules affecting the broadcast of the home games of any of the other major sports. After finally doing a couple Google searches, there are two things in play here: Public Law 93-107ftp://ftp.fcc.gov/pub/Bureaus/OSEC/library/legislative_histories/938.pdf, which covers the NFL blackout law. That law expired in 1975. The FCC has nothing to do with this (and here's the PDFhttp://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/sportsblackouts.pdftelling you as much). The FCC rule original published in 1975 which covers the blacking out WGN America in Pittsburgh if the game is on an OTA station situation (here's the updated rule http://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/47/76.111). This, apparently, is what the acting commissioner was talking about, because it's the only thing the FCC has a say in when it comes to blackouts. And apparently few people understand the difference between the twohttp://entertainment.time.com/2013/11/05/the-fcc-may-end-its-sports-blackout-rules/ . I apologize for all the confusion I caused on this thing. I'll go sit in the corner for a while and think about what I've done. On the other hand, we collectively cleared up something for ourselves which is confusing and obviously often misunderstood. -- -- TV or Not TV The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TV or Not TV group. To post to this group, send email to tvornottv@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to tvornottv-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TVorNotTV group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tvornottv+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
Re: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules
Reminds me that a Dodger fan friend of mine who lives in Hawaii is blacked out of all West Coast games (Pads, Dodgers, Angels, Giants, A's, and Mariners). I assume MLB wants to encourage him to climb onto a plane and fly six hours if he wants to see a Dodger broadcast. --Dave Sikula On Monday, November 4, 2013 7:56:38 PM UTC-8, Bob in Jersey wrote: Joe Hass, to Doug Fields, in part: The reasonable question to ask of the acting Chairwoman is whether the Commission is interested in looking at the situation today with these other blackout rules (probably the two most onerous being Fox's Saturday baseball blackout rules and MLB's bizarre home market maphttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/MLB_Blackout_Areas.png which makes the entire state of Iowa part of the home market of one-fifth of the league and extends home market to distances of 500 miles or more) and whether they are part of the public interest or if they simply decide it's just the free market at work. Hint: if they were really serious, they'd just need to utter two words: antitrust exemption. I always preferred this more-detailed, and of course larger, version of the map linked above: http://www.desipio.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/mlb-broadcast-map.jpg B On Monday, November 4, 2013 7:56:38 PM UTC-8, Bob in Jersey wrote: Joe Hass, to Doug Fields, in part: The reasonable question to ask of the acting Chairwoman is whether the Commission is interested in looking at the situation today with these other blackout rules (probably the two most onerous being Fox's Saturday baseball blackout rules and MLB's bizarre home market maphttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/MLB_Blackout_Areas.png which makes the entire state of Iowa part of the home market of one-fifth of the league and extends home market to distances of 500 miles or more) and whether they are part of the public interest or if they simply decide it's just the free market at work. Hint: if they were really serious, they'd just need to utter two words: antitrust exemption. I always preferred this more-detailed, and of course larger, version of the map linked above: http://www.desipio.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/mlb-broadcast-map.jpg B -- -- TV or Not TV The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TV or Not TV group. To post to this group, send email to tvornottv@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to tvornottv-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TVorNotTV group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tvornottv+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
Re: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules
Reno was blacked out on 49ers and Raiders games. Worst part was when there was a killer 49ers or Raiders game on the road that you absolutely wanted to watch, Reno would get some other crappy game because the networks are trying to pad the viewers for advertisers stuck with the game no one wanted to watch. On Tue, Nov 5, 2013 at 1:39 PM, Dave Sikula dsik...@yahoo.com wrote: Reminds me that a Dodger fan friend of mine who lives in Hawaii is blacked out of all West Coast games (Pads, Dodgers, Angels, Giants, A's, and Mariners). I assume MLB wants to encourage him to climb onto a plane and fly six hours if he wants to see a Dodger broadcast. --Dave Sikula On Monday, November 4, 2013 7:56:38 PM UTC-8, Bob in Jersey wrote: Joe Hass, to Doug Fields, in part: The reasonable question to ask of the acting Chairwoman is whether the Commission is interested in looking at the situation today with these other blackout rules (probably the two most onerous being Fox's Saturday baseball blackout rules and MLB's bizarre home market maphttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/MLB_Blackout_Areas.png which makes the entire state of Iowa part of the home market of one-fifth of the league and extends home market to distances of 500 miles or more) and whether they are part of the public interest or if they simply decide it's just the free market at work. Hint: if they were really serious, they'd just need to utter two words: antitrust exemption. I always preferred this more-detailed, and of course larger, version of the map linked above: http://www.desipio.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/mlb-broadcast-map.jpg B On Monday, November 4, 2013 7:56:38 PM UTC-8, Bob in Jersey wrote: Joe Hass, to Doug Fields, in part: The reasonable question to ask of the acting Chairwoman is whether the Commission is interested in looking at the situation today with these other blackout rules (probably the two most onerous being Fox's Saturday baseball blackout rules and MLB's bizarre home market maphttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/MLB_Blackout_Areas.png which makes the entire state of Iowa part of the home market of one-fifth of the league and extends home market to distances of 500 miles or more) and whether they are part of the public interest or if they simply decide it's just the free market at work. Hint: if they were really serious, they'd just need to utter two words: antitrust exemption. I always preferred this more-detailed, and of course larger, version of the map linked above: http://www.desipio.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/mlb-broadcast-map.jpg B -- -- TV or Not TV The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TV or Not TV group. To post to this group, send email to tvornottv@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to tvornottv-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TVorNotTV group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tvornottv+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. -- -- TV or Not TV The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TV or Not TV group. To post to this group, send email to tvornottv@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to tvornottv-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TVorNotTV group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tvornottv+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
Re: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules
On Mon, Nov 4, 2013 at 12:25 PM, Doug Fields d...@flids.net wrote: Nope…upon further research, it appears I was on the right track after all. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/01/us-usa-broadcasting-blackout-idUSBRE9A00ZW20131101 Here is another storty that makes the same point, in somewhat expanded form: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-blackout-fcc-nfl-20131104,0,5510670.story#axzz2joqp3Ypn This has been an unusually confusing story - because FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn was so cryptic in her statement (back when she was acting chair last week), and because I (and, it seems, many sports fans) were so fuzzy on what the actual rule has been, and because many of the news reports were equally fuzzy, and did little to clarify the situation. The FCC rule prevents cable/satellite providers from circumventing a local sports blackout. The FCC neither requires local blackouts, nor requires them to be lifted. Lifting this rule is mostly an issue in the broadcaster vs cable wars, and has little to do with making sports programing more accessible to the public. The Times article notes that: Blackouts used to be commonplace in the NFL. In 1980, 35% of all games were blacked out in a team's home market. By 2000, the figure was down to 14%. Last year, only 6% of games were blacked out and this year none have been blacked out. I suspect most of the recent blackouts have been Raider games. I think Doug's original question still stands unanswered: How did the original rule ever serve the public interest? Similarly, how does getting rid of the rule serve the public interest? It seems like the idea is that the rule serves the public interest by making sure that cable operators do not have an unfair advantage vs over the air broadcasters; this ensures that sports programing will continue to be available over the air. Getting rid of the rule serves the public I suppose because so many fans now have access to cable/satellite that they do not need over the air, and are hurt by not being able to access distant feeds of locally blacked out events. -- -- TV or Not TV The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TV or Not TV group. To post to this group, send email to tvornottv@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to tvornottv-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TVorNotTV group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tvornottv+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules
Acting Chair Mignon Clyburn says changes in the marketplace (namely, high ticket prices at venues) may make the rules no longer in the public interest. But the leagues can still negotiate with broadcasters, cable and satellite to create and enforce blackout rules of their own: http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2013/db1101/DOC-323842A1.pdf -- -- TV or Not TV The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TV or Not TV group. To post to this group, send email to tvornottv@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to tvornottv-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TVorNotTV group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tvornottv+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
RE: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules
Now wait just a second...Clyburn saying "the rules [are] no longer in the public interest" implies that they previously *were* considered in the public interest. In what way? I always understood the blackout rules were in effect to protect the NFL and the team owners, under the assumption that providing free television access to home games would cut into ticket sales. I'd like to hear even one example (even a far-fetched one) of how the blackout rules have ever been "in the public interest."Doug FieldsTampa, FL (go Bucs!) Original Message ---- Subject: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules From: "K.M. Richards" richard...@gmail.com Date: Mon, November 04, 2013 1:11 pm To: tvornottv@googlegroups.com Acting Chair Mignon Clyburn says "changes in the marketplace" (namely, high ticket prices at venues) may make the rules no longer in the public interest. But the leagues can still negotiate with broadcasters, cable and satellite to create and enforce blackout rules of their own:http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2013/db1101/DOC-323842A1.pdf -- -- TV or Not TV The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TV or Not TV group. To post to this group, send email to tvornottv@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to tvornottv-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TVorNotTV group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tvornottv+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
Re: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules
On Mon, Nov 4, 2013 at 12:33 PM, d...@flids.net wrote: I'd like to hear even one example (even a far-fetched one) of how the blackout rules have ever been in the public interest. I'd say the initial idea when the rule was creating: that prohibiting blacking out home games in their own market allowed fans of all types to be able to see the games, even if they couldn't afford the tickets. Given the amount of money that communities give towards the building of these facilities*, they become de facto in the public interest. Even Dollar Bill Wirtz would let the very-rare sold-out Blackhawks games air. That said, the rule is now utterly obsolete. Now the question becomes does the FCC consider OTA broadcasts part of being in the public interest, especially in markets (as discussed in these parts earlier) that do not have any non-network or cable OTA broadcasts? That's where the battle between free markets and public interests comes back into play. * I'm aware this fact could launch into its own discussion that could raise my blood pressure, for which I will simply state this fact and continue. -- -- TV or Not TV The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TV or Not TV group. To post to this group, send email to tvornottv@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to tvornottv-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TVorNotTV group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tvornottv+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
RE: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules
Could we possibly be talking about two different things? There is no rule *prohibiting* blacking out home games. The rule *requires* home games be blacked out, unless 85% or more of the stadium's seats are sold 72 hours prior to game time. Doug Fields Tampa, FL From: tvornottv@googlegroups.com [mailto:tvornottv@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Joe Hass Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 2:31 PM To: TV Or Not TV Subject: Re: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules On Mon, Nov 4, 2013 at 12:33 PM, d...@flids.net wrote: I'd like to hear even one example (even a far-fetched one) of how the blackout rules have ever been in the public interest. I'd say the initial idea when the rule was creating: that prohibiting blacking out home games in their own market allowed fans of all types to be able to see the games, even if they couldn't afford the tickets. Given the amount of money that communities give towards the building of these facilities*, they become de facto in the public interest. Even Dollar Bill Wirtz would let the very-rare sold-out Blackhawks games air. That said, the rule is now utterly obsolete. Now the question becomes does the FCC consider OTA broadcasts part of being in the public interest, especially in markets (as discussed in these parts earlier) that do not have any non-network or cable OTA broadcasts? That's where the battle between free markets and public interests comes back into play. * I'm aware this fact could launch into its own discussion that could raise my blood pressure, for which I will simply state this fact and continue. . -- -- TV or Not TV The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TV or Not TV group. To post to this group, send email to tvornottv@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to tvornottv-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TVorNotTV group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tvornottv+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
RE: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules
Hmmm.now that I read back over this thread, maybe we *are* talking about two different things. I'm specifically talking about the NFL's blackout rule. I'm not aware of any rules affecting the broadcast of the home games of any of the other major sports. DF From: tvornottv@googlegroups.com [mailto:tvornottv@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Doug Fields Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 3:12 PM To: tvornottv@googlegroups.com Subject: RE: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules Could we possibly be talking about two different things? There is no rule *prohibiting* blacking out home games. The rule *requires* home games be blacked out, unless 85% or more of the stadium's seats are sold 72 hours prior to game time. Doug Fields Tampa, FL From: tvornottv@googlegroups.com [mailto:tvornottv@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Joe Hass Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 2:31 PM To: TV Or Not TV Subject: Re: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules On Mon, Nov 4, 2013 at 12:33 PM, d...@flids.net wrote: I'd like to hear even one example (even a far-fetched one) of how the blackout rules have ever been in the public interest. I'd say the initial idea when the rule was creating: that prohibiting blacking out home games in their own market allowed fans of all types to be able to see the games, even if they couldn't afford the tickets. Given the amount of money that communities give towards the building of these facilities*, they become de facto in the public interest. Even Dollar Bill Wirtz would let the very-rare sold-out Blackhawks games air. That said, the rule is now utterly obsolete. Now the question becomes does the FCC consider OTA broadcasts part of being in the public interest, especially in markets (as discussed in these parts earlier) that do not have any non-network or cable OTA broadcasts? That's where the battle between free markets and public interests comes back into play. * I'm aware this fact could launch into its own discussion that could raise my blood pressure, for which I will simply state this fact and continue. . -- -- TV or Not TV The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TV or Not TV group. To post to this group, send email to tvornottv@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to tvornottv-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TVorNotTV group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tvornottv+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. -- -- TV or Not TV The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TV or Not TV group. To post to this group, send email to tvornottv@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to tvornottv-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TVorNotTV group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tvornottv+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
RE: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules
Nope.upon further research, it appears I was on the right track after all. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/01/us-usa-broadcasting-blackout-idUSB RE9A00ZW20131101 Doug Fields Tampa, FL From: tvornottv@googlegroups.com [mailto:tvornottv@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Doug Fields Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 3:22 PM To: tvornottv@googlegroups.com Subject: RE: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules Hmmm.now that I read back over this thread, maybe we *are* talking about two different things. I'm specifically talking about the NFL's blackout rule. I'm not aware of any rules affecting the broadcast of the home games of any of the other major sports. DF From: tvornottv@googlegroups.com [mailto:tvornottv@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Doug Fields Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 3:12 PM To: tvornottv@googlegroups.com Subject: RE: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules Could we possibly be talking about two different things? There is no rule *prohibiting* blacking out home games. The rule *requires* home games be blacked out, unless 85% or more of the stadium's seats are sold 72 hours prior to game time. Doug Fields Tampa, FL From: tvornottv@googlegroups.com [mailto:tvornottv@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Joe Hass Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 2:31 PM To: TV Or Not TV Subject: Re: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules On Mon, Nov 4, 2013 at 12:33 PM, d...@flids.net wrote: I'd like to hear even one example (even a far-fetched one) of how the blackout rules have ever been in the public interest. I'd say the initial idea when the rule was creating: that prohibiting blacking out home games in their own market allowed fans of all types to be able to see the games, even if they couldn't afford the tickets. Given the amount of money that communities give towards the building of these facilities*, they become de facto in the public interest. Even Dollar Bill Wirtz would let the very-rare sold-out Blackhawks games air. That said, the rule is now utterly obsolete. Now the question becomes does the FCC consider OTA broadcasts part of being in the public interest, especially in markets (as discussed in these parts earlier) that do not have any non-network or cable OTA broadcasts? That's where the battle between free markets and public interests comes back into play. * I'm aware this fact could launch into its own discussion that could raise my blood pressure, for which I will simply state this fact and continue. . -- -- TV or Not TV The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TV or Not TV group. To post to this group, send email to tvornottv@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to tvornottv-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TVorNotTV group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tvornottv+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. -- -- TV or Not TV The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TV or Not TV group. To post to this group, send email to tvornottv@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to tvornottv-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TVorNotTV group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tvornottv+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. -- -- TV or Not TV The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TV or Not TV group. To post to this group, send email to tvornottv@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to tvornottv-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TVorNotTV group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tvornottv+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
Re: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules
There was a time when the NFL blacked out all home games, whether they were sold out or not, to encourage ticket sales. This changed after the 1972 season when the Washington team was blacked out during their sold-out playoff run (yep, they even blacked out the playoffs). Because, as usual, frequently nothing happens on the Federal level if it doesn't directly affect the Washington area, the Feds passed the law prohibiting home-team blackouts when teams sold out their facility at least 72 hours prior to the start of the contest. The argument was that to prohibit broadcast of an event was not in the public interest. That's the law that has remained in effect today. My reference to the NHL was that the Chicago Blackhawks (then owned by the cheap-and-thankfully-now-dead Bill Wirtz), was (to my knowledge) the only non-NFL that used that law to black out home games, including network-aired contests, if the games weren't sold out. Every other blackout rule you know of is negotiated by league/teams and broadcasters, and have nothing to do with this law. The number of NFL games blacked out has dropped significantly over the years. The NFL has even offered to lower their standards to lift blackouts (though it's been reported that teams have opted to take the blackout over the financial cost of taking advantage). So the law as written is pointless today. The reasonable question to ask of the acting Chairwoman is whether the Commission is interested in looking at the situation today with these other blackout rules (probably the two most onerous being Fox's Saturday baseball blackout rules and MLB's bizarre home market maphttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/MLB_Blackout_Areas.png which makes the entire state of Iowa part of the home market of one-fifth of the league and extends home market to distances of 500 miles or more) and whether they are part of the public interest or if they simply decide it's just the free market at work. Hint: if they were really serious, they'd just need to utter two words: antitrust exemption. On Mon, Nov 4, 2013 at 2:25 PM, Doug Fields d...@flids.net wrote: Nope…upon further research, it appears I was on the right track after all. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/01/us-usa-broadcasting-blackout-idUSBRE9A00ZW20131101 Doug Fields Tampa, FL *From:* tvornottv@googlegroups.com [mailto:tvornottv@googlegroups.com] *On Behalf Of *Doug Fields *Sent:* Monday, November 04, 2013 3:22 PM *To:* tvornottv@googlegroups.com *Subject:* RE: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules Hmmm…now that I read back over this thread, maybe we **are** talking about two different things. I’m specifically talking about the NFL’s blackout rule. I’m not aware of any rules affecting the broadcast of the home games of any of the other major sports. DF *From:* tvornottv@googlegroups.com [mailto:tvornottv@googlegroups.comtvornottv@googlegroups.com] *On Behalf Of *Doug Fields *Sent:* Monday, November 04, 2013 3:12 PM *To:* tvornottv@googlegroups.com *Subject:* RE: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules Could we possibly be talking about two different things? There is no rule **prohibiting** blacking out home games. The rule **requires** home games be blacked out, unless 85% or more of the stadium’s seats are sold 72 hours prior to game time. Doug Fields Tampa, FL *From:* tvornottv@googlegroups.com [mailto:tvornottv@googlegroups.comtvornottv@googlegroups.com] *On Behalf Of *Joe Hass *Sent:* Monday, November 04, 2013 2:31 PM *To:* TV Or Not TV *Subject:* Re: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules On Mon, Nov 4, 2013 at 12:33 PM, d...@flids.net wrote: I'd like to hear even one example (even a far-fetched one) of how the blackout rules have ever been in the public interest. I'd say the initial idea when the rule was creating: that prohibiting blacking out home games in their own market allowed fans of all types to be able to see the games, even if they couldn't afford the tickets. Given the amount of money that communities give towards the building of these facilities*, they become de facto in the public interest. Even Dollar Bill Wirtz would let the very-rare sold-out Blackhawks games air. That said, the rule is now utterly obsolete. Now the question becomes does the FCC consider OTA broadcasts part of being in the public interest, especially in markets (as discussed in these parts earlier) that do not have any non-network or cable OTA broadcasts? That's where the battle between free markets and public interests comes back into play. * I'm aware this fact could launch into its own discussion that could raise my blood pressure, for which I will simply state this fact and continue. . -- -- TV or Not TV The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TV or Not TV group
Re: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules
On Nov 4, 2013, at 2:50 PM, Joe Hass wrote: The reasonable question to ask of the acting Chairwoman is whether the Commission is interested in looking at the situation today with these other blackout rules (probably the two most onerous being Fox's Saturday baseball blackout rules... This one is gone with the new 2014 TV contract -- Fox's Saturday games will be available on MLB.tv and MLB Extra Innings: http://www.baseballnation.com/2012/10/2/3443876/mlb-tv-blackouts-fox-sports-ending-2014 -- Jim Ellwanger train...@ellwanger.tv http://www.ellwanger.tv -- -- TV or Not TV The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TV or Not TV group. To post to this group, send email to tvornottv@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to tvornottv-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TVorNotTV group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tvornottv+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
RE: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules
Hmmm.now that I read back over this thread, maybe we *are* talking about two different things. I'm specifically talking about the NFL's blackout rule. I'm not aware of any rules affecting the broadcast of the home games of any of the other major sports. The other rule may be the one that allows local rightsholders to demand that other entities be blacked out. For instance, if the Cubs are playing the Pirates, WGN America will often have a slide up (courtesy of the local cable company, I'm sure) saying that FCC rules bar them from showing the game in Pittsburgh. My recollection is that the NFL rule was actually put into place voluntarily by the league in about 1973 when Congress started to threaten to pass laws. Before that, all home games were blacked out regardless of the ticket situation, so that I had to hear the Immaculate Reception on radio. Even Super Bowls were blacked out in the markets where they were played. With all the changes of the last forty years, about the only benefit I can see for anyone is teams having an excuse to sell their last few thousand seats right before the deadline. -- -- TV or Not TV The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TV or Not TV group. To post to this group, send email to tvornottv@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to tvornottv-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TVorNotTV group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tvornottv+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
Re: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules
On Mon, Nov 4, 2013 at 5:50 PM, Joe Hass hassgoc...@gmail.com wrote: The reasonable question to ask of the acting Chairwoman is whether the Commission is interested in looking at the situation today with these other blackout rules (probably the two most onerous being Fox's Saturday baseball blackout rules and MLB's bizarre home market maphttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/MLB_Blackout_Areas.png which makes the entire state of Iowa part of the home market of one-fifth of the league and extends home market to distances of 500 miles or more) and whether they are part of the public interest or if they simply decide it's just the free market at work. Hint: if they were really serious, they'd just need to utter two words: antitrust exemption. Today was the acting chairwoman's last day and this decision might be relevant to that context. Meaning she may not be responsible for the consequences. -- -- TV or Not TV The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TV or Not TV group. To post to this group, send email to tvornottv@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to tvornottv-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TVorNotTV group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tvornottv+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
Re: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules
JW, to Doug Fields, in part: Hmmm.now that I read back over this thread, maybe we *are* talking about two different things. I'm specifically talking about the NFL's blackout rule. I'm not aware of any rules affecting the broadcast of the home games of any of the other major sports. The other rule may be the one that allows local rightsholders to demand that other entities be blacked out. For instance, if the Cubs are playing the Pirates, WGN America will often have a slide up (courtesy of the local cable company, I'm sure) saying that FCC rules bar them from showing the game in Pittsburgh. Title 47 Code of Federal Regulations, section 76.111. Companions are 76.127 which covers satellited events, and 76.128 further explains the definition of territory that may be subject to a blackout. B -- -- TV or Not TV The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TV or Not TV group. To post to this group, send email to tvornottv@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to tvornottv-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TVorNotTV group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tvornottv+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
Re: [TV orNotTV] FCC considering eliminating sports blackout rules
Joe Hass, to Doug Fields, in part: The reasonable question to ask of the acting Chairwoman is whether the Commission is interested in looking at the situation today with these other blackout rules (probably the two most onerous being Fox's Saturday baseball blackout rules and MLB's bizarre home market maphttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/MLB_Blackout_Areas.png which makes the entire state of Iowa part of the home market of one-fifth of the league and extends home market to distances of 500 miles or more) and whether they are part of the public interest or if they simply decide it's just the free market at work. Hint: if they were really serious, they'd just need to utter two words: antitrust exemption. I always preferred this more-detailed, and of course larger, version of the map linked above: http://www.desipio.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/mlb-broadcast-map.jpg B -- -- TV or Not TV The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TV or Not TV group. To post to this group, send email to tvornottv@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to tvornottv-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups TVorNotTV group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tvornottv+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
