FCC Report Shows Consumers Are Paying 20%+ Increase in Annual Retransmission Consent Fees

WASHINGTON, DC – The American Television Alliance (ATVA) issued a statement responding to the FCC’s biennial Communications Marketplace Report, a study that includes updated retransmission consent figures.

“The latest FCC report has found that the average subscriber pays more than $200 per year for so-called ‘free’ broadcast television, representing an increase of more than 20% over the previous year,” stated ATVA spokesperson, Jessica Kendust. “In fact, since 2013, retransmission consent fees have increased, on average, more than 30% annually.  The FCC reports that ‘in 2021, fees per subscriber were more than eight times their 2013 value.’”

The report stated that annual retransmission consent fees per subscriber increased by 20.3%, rising from $168.83 in 2020 to $203.03 in 2021. 

“On top of exorbitant annual retrans fees, broadcasters have blacked out consumers’ access to these ‘free’ stations more than 1,800 times since 2010. Unfortunately, until Congress reforms outdated TV laws, these tactics will continue to harm consumers.”