Foul Ball – Broadcaster Retrans Blackout on Eve of Baseball Season

Hits Viewers in 19 Markets, Including NY, L.A., Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington

Washington, D.C.  April 1, 2012 – With baseball season set to begin this week, Tribune Broadcasting has already thrown viewers a curve, blacking out stations in 19 markets, from New York to Los Angeles.  The blackout leaves millions of TV viewers in the dark, including fans of the Mets, Cubs, White Sox and Phillies.  Broadcasters pulled the plug on viewers in nearly 40 markets last year and 2012 already looks like the same old ballgame.  They continue to take advantage of government mandated rules that give them the upper hand and stifle the free market.   Until the FCC or Congress act, broadcasters will keep on holding viewers hostage to gain leverage in business negotiations.