Blackout Lifted for Area Satellite Viewers

WASHINGTON –Just in time for the kick off of the NFL season and Sunday’s Detroit Lions vs Green Bay Packers game, Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) announced that Direct TV viewers in the Western Upper Peninsula will be able to watch their regional football games this season. At the request of Stupak, Direct TV, FOX, CBS and the NFL have agreed to continue last year’s arrangement of allowing games to be viewed on Direct TV.

Last year, Stupak’s office received hundreds of complaints that viewers’ screens had gone black when the Detroit Lions were supposed to play.  Stupak contacted Direct TV, FOX, CBS and the NFL to determine why the blackout had been imposed and what needed to be done to fix the problem. 

This summer, Stupak asked the networks and Direct TV to extend the agreement to the new season.  Stupak was notified today that the networks and Direct TV had negotiated an agreement to lift the blackout in time for this Sunday’s games.

“I’m pleased that viewers in the Western U.P. will again be able enjoy their regional football games, beginning with Sunday’s showdown between Detroit and Green Bay.  People who buy a satellite “Sunday Ticket” package rightfully expect to watch all the games played that day.” said Stupak.  “I appreciate the willingness of Direct TV, the networks and stations to work with me and extend the agreement.”

The cause of last year’s blackout stemmed from the NFL contract with the networks and Direct TV.   Direct TV, which offers subscribers a Sunday NFL football package that includes conference games nationwide, is prohibited from airing the NFL game that is carried on local CBS and FOX affiliates.  For example, if the local FOX affiliate, WMQF in Marquette runs the Detroit Lions game in that area, then Direct TV must black out that game for that area because its understood that the viewer can get the Fox affiliate broadcast signal over the air with “rabbit ears” or roof top antenna.

“What this arrangement had failed to address is that northern Michigan is so rural, it is impossible for many viewers to get that broadcast signal and cable is just not an option.  Without satellite service, they can’t get their regional NFL games,” Stupak said.  “That’s simply unacceptable, and that’s why I worked to get all of the parties together to find a solution.”

Last year, the blackout was lifted by zip code.   If viewers had the black out lifted last year, they will again have the blackout lifted this year.  These zip codes were generated from constituents who contacted Stupak because they could not get games using antennas.

*An actuality is available at 1-800-320-6091. Enter access code 2839.

-MORE-

The following zip codes have been lifted from the blackout: