Fans are frustrated with blackout restrictions and multiple streaming subscriptions to watch their favorite sports teams. The U.S. House of Representatives is investigating the validity of these restrictions and the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan sent letters to commissioners of major sports leagues, requesting briefings on broadcasting markets and blackout exemptions. He argues that the Act no longer fits the modern viewing environment, and changes are necessary to improve fan accessibility amid evolving media consumption habits.
Chairman Jim Jordan emphasized that the Sports Broadcasting Act, established in 1961 to protect smaller teams from dominant networks, is outdated. The current landscape of media consumption has dramatically shifted, rendering the Act no longer applicable. He noted that the law was initially created to allow leagues to negotiate broadcast rights collectively, which in effect permitted blackout restrictions on home games to urge fan attendance. The recent push for briefings on blackout exemptions comes as fans express increased frustration over numerous streaming service subscriptions needed to watch games.
Jim Jordan's letters to the major sports commissioners also pointed out that the current streaming market contrasts sharply with the television-dominated era when the Sports Broadcasting Act was initiated. He stated that significant changes in video competition necessitate a reevaluation of blackout restrictions, which compel fans to rely on packaged subscriptions from multiple providers to access their favorite teams. This growing dissatisfaction among fans highlights the urgent need for reform in sports broadcasting regulations.
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