NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C.  20554
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
January 12, 2012 Brigid Calamis (202) 418-2200
STATEMENT OF FCC COMMISSIONER ROBERT M. McDOWELL 
REGARDING THE MEDIA BUREAU’S REQUEST FOR COMMENT ON THE 
PETITION SEEKING ELIMINATION OF THE SPORTS BLACKOUT RULE 
The following statement can be attributed to Commissioner Robert M. McDowell:
“I am delighted that the Media Bureau is requesting comment on a petition seeking elimination 
of the Commission’s rules that prohibit multichannel video programming distributors from 
carrying a sporting event in a community if it is blacked out by the local broadcast station.  
Taking a fresh look at this 36-year-old rule could be constructive as we look for rules to 
streamline and modernize.  Over almost four decades, the economics and structure of both the 
sports and communications industries have experienced dramatic evolutions.  We now live in a 
world with not only local broadcast stations, but also cable, satellite, the Internet and wireless, 
and where television and merchandizing revenues exceed ticket sales.  It is appropriate for us to 
re-examine the rule in light of marketplace changes.”