Congress Needs to Protect TV Viewers NOW!

Even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, broadcasters doubled down on their use of retransmission blackouts to extort American consumers who rely on cable or satellite for their television service. There were a record-breaking 342 blackouts in 2020 compared to 278 in 2019. And the blackouts continue still today.

It’s time for Washington to modernize our TV laws to protect against the greed of broadcasters. Congress needs to act and end broadcaster TV blackouts now!

Dear [Lawmaker],

As both your constituent and a TV watcher, I’m concerned about broadcasters continued use of retransmission blackouts to extort American consumers who rely on cable or satellite for their television service.

Despite National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) acknowledging the industry had a public interest duty to limit retransmission blackouts during the COVID-19 pandemic, broadcasters caused a record-breaking 342 blackouts in 2020 compared to 278 in 2019:

“I don’t speak for every individual company and their economic decision, I know I have heard on calls with our executive committee and individual members that they recognize the public responsibility to not have service interruptions during this time… As has been the case whenever there is a national emergency, broadcasters don’t want to see service interruptions of any kind.“ - Former NAB President, Gordon Smith

Policymakers need to modernize retransmission consent laws to better protect the American consumer. Broadcasters must be held accountable to the public and they must stop weaponizing their station licenses and government-granted exclusivities.

It’s time for Washington to modernize our TV laws to protect against the greed of broadcasters. Congress needs to act and end broadcaster TV blackouts now!

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,
______

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