Stop the Broadcaster Blackouts - Groups Call for Moratorium as Broadcasters Threaten to Blackout Millions Beginning New Year's Day

Stop the Broadcaster Blackouts - Groups Call for Moratorium as Broadcasters Threaten to Blackout Millions Beginning New Year's Day

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Broadcasters are threatening to blackout millions of viewers across the nation beginning New Year's Day as retransmission agreements between local network affiliate stations and pay-TV providers expire. Given Congressional concern and the FCC's recent announcement that it will begin a rulemaking in early 2011 to protect consumers during retransmission consent negotiations, the undersigned call on the broadcasters to declare a moratorium this holiday season on viewer blackouts.

Unless action is taken, viewers could experience blackouts in numerous markets, including Albuquerque/Santa Fe, Baltimore, Biloxi-Gulfport (MS), Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Burlington (VT) /Plattsburgh (NY), Cape Girardeau (MO) Charleston (WV and SC), Cincinnati, Columbus (OH), Dayton (OH), Des Moines-Ames, Eugene (OR), Fort Smith (AR), Greensboro/Winston Salem, Harrisburg/Lancaster (PA), Greenville/Spartanburg/Asheville, Honolulu, Jackson (MS), Kansas City, Klamath Falls (OR), Lexington (KY), Louisville (KY), Macon (GA), Milwaukee, Medford (OR), Monterey/Salinas (CA), New Orleans, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Orlando/Daytona, Pensacola/Mobile, Pittsburgh, Portland/Auburn (ME), Raleigh, Rochester (NY), Sacramento/Stockton, San Antonio, Syracuse, Tallahassee, Tampa/St. Petersburg and West Palm Beach/Fort Pierce (FL).

American Television Alliance

Consumer Action

LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens)

National Black Caucus of State Legislators

National Consumers League

National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce

National Urban League

New America Foundation

Public Knowledge

Rainbow PUSH Coalition

SOURCE American Television Alliance

American Television Alliance

CONTACT: Mike Heimowitz, +1-202-419-3251 or +1-202.669.7689, mike.heimowitz@porternovelli.com

Web Site: http://www.americantelevisionalliance.org/

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