Stop Sports Blackouts Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18]
Introduced
Summary
Compensate subscribers with rebates for programming blackouts caused by carriage or retransmission negotiations. This bill would require cable and satellite providers to issue rebates to customers when negotiated disputes block video programming that was part of their subscription.
Show full summary
- Households and subscribers would get a rebate for any period they lose access to programming included in their plan because of a covered negotiation.
- Cable operators and direct broadcast satellite providers would be responsible for issuing those rebates and would be regulated under a new provision added to the Communications Act of 1934.
- Broadcasters and non-broadcast programmers are covered when disputes involve retransmission consent or carriage of video programming.
- The Federal Communications Commission would be directed to write rules and to set the appropriate rebate amount within 90 days after enactment.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Rebates for cable and satellite blackouts
If enacted, you could get a rebate when your cable or satellite provider blacks out promised channels during a contract fight. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) would have 90 days after enactment to set the rules and the rebate amount. This would apply only if the provider had agreed at signup or renewal to carry those channels during that time. Blackouts from retransmission consent talks or carriage disputes with non-broadcast networks would count.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18]
NY • D
Cosponsors
Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]
NJ • D
Sponsored 1/31/2025
Carson
IN • D
Sponsored 1/31/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 1/31/2025
Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4]
OR • D
Sponsored 2/21/2025
Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]
RI • D
Sponsored 2/26/2025
Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]
NY • D
Sponsored 4/23/2026
Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]
PA • D
Sponsored 4/23/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov