fcc Archives

MLB’s streaming rights are now under federal scrutiny

The DOJ is planning to examine MLB's streaming rights as its antitrust probe into professional sports expands beyond the NFL.

As Amazon eyes the Super Bowl, FCC criticism of NFL streaming grows

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr highlighted Amazon's interest in airing the Super Bowl in a recent post.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Pat Ryan demand FCC address rising cost of live sports

The Democratic lawmakers believe media consolidation is driving prices higher for sports fans.

Fox, Sinclair submit comment to FCC advocating protections for sports on broadcast TV

"Making paywalled streaming the default viewing option for live sports could have devastating consequences for consumers and broadcast stations alike."

Stephen A. Smith blames FCC for preventing him from presidential run

"You want me to run? Fix it."

Brendan Carr questions if Sports Broadcasting Act’s antitrust exemption applies to streaming

"There is a question that people are debating in the FCC record, which is to say, if you take a NFL game and you put it on a streaming service rather than broadcast TV, does the NFL still get to benefit from the broad antitrust exemption?"

Brendan Carr sees relationship between sports and local news as FCC’s purview

"I think people are right to start asking whether we have the right regulatory framework in place right now."

FCC opens inquiry into fragmentation of sports broadcasting

"Many consumers today find it more difficult to find the events they want to watch..."

FCC reportedly looked into Bad Bunny’s halftime show following Republican outrage and found… nothing

"The agency is said to have shelved any additional scrutiny barring further evidence."

Dan Le Batard ethers Bob Iger, Disney for Jimmy Kimmel suspension

"Once you're a coward who's extorted the bully is going to keep extorting the coward."

Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl LIX halftime performance led to 125 FCC complaints

Kanye West's ad for an antisemitic t-shirt resulted in three additional complaints.

Nick Saban’s ‘College GameDay’ cursing drew (a few) FCC complaints: ‘Profanity stuffed in my face’

"I tune (in) to gain knowledge and insight on college football, not to have profanity stuffed in my face by a former coach trying to be funny."

FCC Chairman has simple ask for Super Bowl LIX: ‘Please, no wardrobe malfunctions’

"That would ruin my evening."

ESPN faces hefty fine from FCC

ESPN is facing a six figure fine from the FCC after violating the use of emergency alert system tones once again.

FCC proposes $504K fine against Fox for broadcasting emergency tones in promo

"This was not a minor violation."

Pat McAfee hoping for FCC forgiveness after Tim Tebow bit during national championship game

"If we end up in FCC court or whatever the f*ck we’re gonna be for singing ‘Happy Birthday’ I’ll take their fine"

Eli Manning’s double bird on ESPN2 ManningCast prompted a grand total of 3 FCC complaints on “despicable” gesture

"Eli Manning used profane gestures that were despicable and unacceptable and fines should be levied," the viewer from West Chester, PA said in the complaint. "Young Americans should never be exposed to something like that, it was disgusting."

FCC proposes $20,000 fine for ESPN over emergency alert system tone used in a 2020 rebroadcast of a 2011 documentary

"The nature of EAS violations requires particularly serious consideration because, among other issues, such violations undermine the integrity of the EAS by desensitizing viewers to the potential importance of warning tones and therefore implicate substantial public safety concerns."

Democratic presidential candidates Cory Booker, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren criticize Sinclair’s purchase of former Fox RSNs

"The agreement with Disney offers Sinclair an opportunity to charge consumers more by packaging their cable and broadcast programs."

BIG3 claims to FCC that Charter has already decided not to carry RSNs the BIG3 hasn’t even won yet

"Charter's conduct risks effectively excluding BIG3 from the bidding process and tainting the auction. It has been suggested to BIG3's ownership that Charter has disseminated its threat to drop the (regional sports networks) to other members of the industry."

FCC rejects beIN Sports’ latest complaint, which could be the death knell for the network

The network has filed three complaints with the FCC, two of which have been rejected while a third remains in limbo

Adam Levine’s shirtless Super Bowl halftime performance drew over 50 FCC complaints

"In 2004, CBS was fined $550,000 for airing what has become known as the “Nipple Slip”. In 2019, CBS aired Adam Levine removing his shirt exposing both nipples. This must be dealt with in a similar manner, or the double standard must be made public."

FCC dismisses beIN claim against Comcast, says beIN didn’t prove unfair treatment, can’t prove they’re similarly situated to NBCSN

According to the FCC, beIN didn't make a strong enough case to require a Comcast rebuttal.

FCC puts Sinclair-Tribune bid in limbo, could lose out on major local sports rights

A deal that seemed to be a foregone conclusion a year ago now seems to be in jeopardy