Congress Needs to Protect TV Viewers NOW!

Big broadcasters continue to “black out” their programming on cable and satellite systems. They do this for a simple reason: they want to make more money for their programming from a shrinking pool of pay-TV subscribers. This is why the average viewer now pays $20 per month for supposed “free” broadcast programming—up 270% since 2015. And this is why viewers have suffered well over 2,000 blackouts industry-wide since 2010, including over 200 blackouts in 2023.

It’s time for Washington to modernize our TV laws to protect consumers. Congress needs to act and end broadcaster TV blackouts now!

Dear [Lawmaker],

I am a constituent and I watch broadcast television through my cable or satellite provider. I am writing to you because I am simply tired of broadcast blackouts.

Broadcasters are supposed to serve the public. They are supposed to be available to everyone. Yet they keep raising their prices for supposedly “free” programming, and that money comes out of my wallet. When they don’t get what they want, they black out their programming to viewers like me who have done nothing wrong. And they time these blackouts to do the most harm, like during football season.  

Enough is enough. It’s time for Congress to modernize our television laws. End broadcaster blackouts now!

Sincerely,
______

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