FCC Proposes Ending Blackout Rule, NFL Plans To Oppose

The NFL, MLB, and National Association of Broadcasters have come out strongly against an FCC proposal to end the 40-year old blackout rule. The government regulator decided to reexamine the blackout rule this year as a poor economy and rising ticket prices put some fans at a disadvantage to see games. The NFL, likely to be the most impacted by a rule repeal, has a blackout policy that blocks TV broadcasts of home games in a team’s home territory if the game isn’t sold out 72 hours in advance. The FCC rule was designed to protect home gate receipts from “invading telecasts” from distant TV stations, the agency said. Ending the rule would require an agency vote after a public comment period.