Broadcasters Begin 2012 With A Bang: Giving Viewers the Blackout Blues Across America Latest Retrans Outrages in Boston and Miami

Washington, D.C. January 14, 2012 After pulling the plug in nearly 40 markets in 2011, impacting millions of viewers, broadcasters started the New Year with more of their anti-consumer tactics.  Today viewers in Boston and Miami woke up to find static on their TV screens.   This comes on the heels of blackouts already underway in Harrisburg, Syracuse, Albany, Corpus Christi and the Washington DC suburbs.  Thanks to broadcaster bullying, many sports fans will miss this weekend’s NFL playoffs. With an FCC rulemaking underway and Congress back in session next week, it’s time for Washington to make a New Year’s resolution to drop the ball on twenty year old retransmission consent rules and protect consumers.

Last year, broadcasters reaped a record $1.4 billion in retrans fees, a seven-fold increase since 2006 (SNL Kagan).  When greedy broadcasters take advantage of rules that give them the upper hand, we all pay the price.

These stations are affected by blackouts: KRCR (ABC) in Redding, OR; KRIS (NBC)/KAJA (Telemundo)/CW South Texas/KDF (Independent) in Corpus Christi, TX; WSVN (Fox) in Miami; WHDH (NBC) and WLVI (CW) in Boston; WHP (CBS)/ WLYH (CW Television)/MyNetwork in Harrisburg, PA; WYSR (ABC) in Syracuse; WXXA (FOX) in Albany and WJLA-TV (ABC) in Shenandoah County, VA (DC station).

All press inquiries should be directed to Mike Heimowitz at [email protected]