FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFI C E OF T H E C H A I RMAN The Honorable Richard Blumenthal United States Senate 724 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Blumenthal: June 17, 2014 Thank you for your letter expressing your views on the Commission' s pending proceeding regarding the spmis blackout rule. I appreciate your long-standing interest in this ISSUe. As you indicate, the Commission proposed to eliminate the sports blackout rules in December 2013. In addition to assessing whether there is still a need for the rules, we also sought coninient on our authority to eliminate, as well as the impact of such action. As you are aware, the Commission has acknowledged that repeal of the FCC's rules alone may not end . blackouts, but it would leave caniage issues to privately negotiated anangements . Comment periods ended in March, and the Bureau staff is reviewing the record developed. I share your desire for a quick resolution to this pending proceeding. I have asked the Media Bureau staff to complete their review and to provide recommendations for the full Commission' s consideration by early fall. ~it~~{r- Tom Wheeler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTO N OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable John McCain United States Senate 241 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator McCain: June 17, 2014 Thank you for your letter expressing your views on the Commission's pending proceeding regarding the sports blackout rule. I appreciate your long-standing interest in this ISSUe. As you indicate, the Commission proposed to eliminate the sports blackout rules in December 2013 . In addition to assessing whether there is still a need for the rules, we also sought comment on our authority to eliminate, as well as the impact of such action. As you are aware, the Commission has acknowledged that repeal of the FCC's rules alone may not end blackouts, but it would leave carriage issues to privately negotiated arrangements. Comment periods ended in March, and the Bureau staff is reviewing the record developed. I share your desire for a quick resolution to this pending proceeding. I have asked the Media Bureau staff to complete their review and to provide recommendations for the full Commission's consideration by early fall. :;i;;Jz~~- Tom Wheeler