The NFL has announced a suspension of local TV blackouts for the 2015-16 season. In other news, the league also announced plans to broadcast a regular season game via a digital platform, and the NBA has agreed to a partnership with Univision.
NFL to Lift Blackout Rule For 2015 Season
- NFL owners voted Monday to lift the league’s local TV blackout policy for the 2015-16 season, months after the Federal Communications Commission elected to stop enforcing blackout rules in professional sports. Though the FCC decision had no direct impact on Monday’s announcement — blackouts are allowed under the NFL’s TV contracts — members of Congress have pressured the league to either drop the rule or face antitrust scrutiny. The policy will be re-evaluated after the season. (ESPN.com [1], [2])
Jags/Bills to Air on Digital Platform
- The NFL also announced Monday that the October 25 Jaguars/Bills game from London will be broadcast nationally on “a world-wide digital platform” instead of traditional television, a first for the league. Commissioner Roger Goodell previously announced the league’s intention to broadcast a game digitally during January’s state of the league press conference. The game will be available on local television in the home markets, but will not be available via NFL Sunday Ticket. (jacksonville.com, Wall Street Journal)
NBA, Univision, Enter into Partnership
- The NBA has agreed to a multi-year deal with the Univision family of networks to air weekly highlight shows on UniMas and Univision Deportes Network. The deal, which was first reported by Sports Business Journal and was announced on Monday, also allows Univision to air live programming from NBA playoff games — including the NBA Finals. It does not, however, include any actual game telecasts. (Univision, Sports Business Journal)
