H.R. 888

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission to promulgate regulations with respect to rebates for certain video programming blackouts, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · January 31, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Ryan · Committee: Committee on Energy and Commerce

Table of contents

• H.R. 888
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Rebates for video programming blackouts

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Stop Sports Blackouts Act of 2025.

SEC. 2. Rebates for video programming blackouts

• Title VII of the Communications Act of 1934 () is amended by adding at the end the following: 47 U.S.C. 601 et seq.
  • (a) In general
    • Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Commission shall promulgate regulations—
      • to require a provider to issue to a subscriber of such provider a rebate with respect to any period during which the provider denies such subscriber, as a result of a covered negotiation, access to video programming that such provider agreed, at the time of subscription entry or renewal (as the case may be), to provide to such subscriber during such period; and
      • to establish the appropriate amount of a rebate issued under paragraph (1).
  • (b) Definitions
    • In this section:
      • The term covered negotiation means a negotiation with respect to—
      • The term provider means either of the following:
      • The term television broadcast station has the meaning given such term in section 325(b)(7).
      • The term video programming has the meaning given such term in section 602.