241:, and efforts in Washington, D.C. by terrestrial broadcasters to keep satellite providers from exploiting a provision in the law whereby satellite providers can offer programming where a broadcast station's signal is not available. In the Miami case, satellite providers were found to have allowed carriage of outside stations in households within a few miles of broadcast transmitters in violation of the law. Syndex is often unpopular with satellite subscribers and companies who would rather not afford local broadcast stations program rights protection.
110:
the syndex rulings in a 4–3 vote, on the basis that "local stations are not adversely affected when a cable system offers subscribers signals from television stations in other cities." In 1980, the FCC lifted the old syndex law, as a way to bolster the growing cable television industry. This led cable systems to begin carrying other superstations and more regional out-of-market
472:. NFL policies require all games to be available on broadcast television in the markets of the teams involved, so rights to simulcast these games are typically syndicated to local stations in the affected markets, and the telecast on the respective cable network is blacked out to protect the local broadcaster that has syndication rights to these games.
109:
In
November 1976, the FCC began to consider making alterations to the syndex rulings. In April 1979, the FCC made a proposal to remove some of the rules. Further debate led the Cable Television Bureau of the FCC to recommend doing away with the rules entirely. On July 22, 1980, the Commission revoked
549:
aired on both the
Chicago broadcast signal and the national feed had substantially decreased, with WGN America mirroring the former WWOR EMI Service in its scheduling. WGN's national feed was also separated from its parent station, except in name, and converted into a basic cable network on December
497:
In 1990, when the syndex law was passed, national versions of WWOR-TV and WGN-TV, which aired different programs from the local signals in their native cities, were launched. These feeds replaced programs that had syndication exclusivity claims in certain markets with syndicated programs to which no
481:
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, several independent local stations were uplinked via satellite so that they could be available either nationally or regionally, especially to markets that did not have independent stations, either because the market could not support one due to having lower population
188:
The syndex rules went back into effect on
January 1, 1990. Before the reimposition of the syndex rules, stations like WGN and WTBS were paying local single market rates for programming acquisitions, even as they were gaining national coverage, and were selling that extended coverage to advertisers.
530:), the New York City-area feed, which included UPN programs and other shows previously covered up on the EMI feed, was uplinked by the National Programming Service for exclusive distribution to satellite providers. That feed was discontinued in 1999 with its transponder space being turned over to
272:
airs a program that is also seen on an
American broadcast network, the Canadian broadcast is blacked out, or replaced with the signal of the American station carrying the same program at that time (this does not apply to most sports on cable, especially if they are different productions from one
494:, were available nationally. WTBS aired shows that were generally "syndex proof" (or, in simpler terms, having "full signal rights") due to program contracts that the station was able to negotiate so that it could avoid having any programs blacked out or substituted, save for sports programs.
80:
provider upon request from the local station. Broadcast television stations have the option of signing programming deals with or without syndex protection, but they stand to have audiences significantly diluted in markets without protection. Syndex protection is rarely enforced in regards to
558:
In any case, national superstations such as WGN were, in later years, still sometimes able to negotiate full signal rights for a syndicated program. Whether or not a particular program could be cleared for full signal rights depends on how it was originally sold to other television stations
538:
in
October 2007, and now airs only Atlanta-cleared programming as WPCH (the Atlanta station remains a superstation in Canada, although some of its programming is instead substituted with a domestic network feed of the same program under simultaneous substitution regulations). WGN's national
510:
to carry that network's programming on the EMI feed. This negatively affected UPN as WGN's carriage of The WB temporarily filled holes where that network did not have a full-time or secondary carrier in some markets until the network found local over-the-air affiliates and later set up a
89:
The first syndex rule to be passed by the
Federal Communications Commission went into effect on March 31, 1972. The regulations at the time were similar to those in the present-day law, except for the fact that they applied to almost all programming, including shows such as the
392:, exists in Canada, allowing broadcasters to require that U.S. feeds of shows airing at exactly the same time on a Canadian network to be replaced with the Canadian feed. This is intended to protect domestic advertising revenue that would otherwise go to the U.S. network.
382:
counties, whose only CBS affiliate is WIVB, were completely blacked out; in the latter two counties, because of terrestrial reception issues, antennas cannot be used, leaving satellite television (which still carried WIVB) as the only
204:
affiliates in given markets can invoke the syndex law to keep the superstations that have the same network affiliations as the local station from coming into the market in any form. CW stations are using the law in order to block
189:
After the syndex law was implemented, in at least some cases, the prices that superstations paid for program content had better reflected their actual national distribution, depending on arrangements with any given syndicator.
811:
A Federal agency
Tuesday substantially deregulated the cable television industry, by ruling local stations are not adversely affected when a cable system offers subscribers signals from television stations in other
138:
502:" (the "EMI" referring to Eastern Microwave, Inc., the superstation feed's satellite uplinker). WGN-TV did not have to cover up as many programs as WWOR, and while WGN was able to carry programming from
445:, virtually eliminated local blackouts during the network's Monday and Wednesday night games, allowing ESPN coverage to co-exist in the home markets served by each team's local broadcaster.
145:
audience data showing significant ratings dilution in the 7:00–8:00 p.m. period that was directly attributable to the carriage of identical programming via
Chicago superstation
81:
conventional cable networks, which (particularly since the late 1990s) often concurrently maintain rights to a particular program during the period of a broadcast syndication deal.
515:
in 1998. UPN's decision to deny WWOR permission to carry its programming nationally left open gaps in market coverage for that network in several large and mid-sized cities.
643:), and under this new contract cannot be seen on any other national network or superstation, but it can still be seen on local over-the-air stations, as stations such as
920:
A Federal
Communications Commission ruling that will go into effect Jan. 1 may for a time affect the accuracy of television listings, according to an industry spokesman.
951:"Time Warner Takes Crucial Step Toward New Network Television: A pact with superstation WGN-TV gives it access to 73% of homes. Analysts say that will still leave gaps"
169:
was headquartered. After the study was presented to and subsequently validated by Synar's staff, Synar dropped his opposition under pressure from committee chairman
609:
However, once one superstation's term of license on a program ends, it can enter into syndex restrictions. For example, for decades TBS had full signal rights to
102:, the original "superstation" (which at the time was distributed only in the Southeastern United States, five years before it became available nationally via
506:
network on its national feed from
January 1995 (when its Chicago parent station also affiliated with the network) to October 1999, WWOR was not permitted by
671:
on many of its affiliates since it began carrying the sitcom in 2014). Broadcasts on these local stations are only restricted to their particular markets.
150:
322:) was still allowed to enforce syndex and prevent other CBS affiliates or CFTO from being brought into the market. CFTO was allowed to carry games in
134:
149:
on numerous local cable providers, resulting in an estimated loss in advertising revenue of several hundred thousand dollars. The legislation,
192:
Since 1993, syndex is currently being used to block superstations offered through a programming tier provided by satellite provider
1054:
1008:
314:) were blacked out in the Buffalo market as a result of LIN and TWC's inability to come to terms on a new contract. Despite this,
587:
111:
932:
38:
519:
442:
46:
154:
825:
1044:
1039:
663:
have done for decades (similarly, the broadcast rights to the program held by some local stations have prevented
534:, though Dish Network now carries the New York City feed of WWOR. WTBS was separated from the national feed of
498:
station held exclusive rights in any market. WWOR's national feed outside of New York City was branded as the "
166:
890:
982:
375:
886:"Same reruns on too many channels? FCC says no more. Panel's ruling considered defeat for cable operators"
950:
640:
469:
335:
852:
545:
in 2007; by this point, the number of syndicated programs that WGN-TV both gained full signal rights to
512:
258:
452:
utilizes a similar rule for nationally televised games carried exclusively by cable networks (such as
805:
709:
680:
616:
430:
389:
379:
265:
118:
20:
57:
television programs by granting exclusive broadcast rights to the station for that program in their
914:
597:
576:
Other studios can also allow full signal rights to superstations for its programming. For example,
523:
449:
367:
363:
359:
347:
323:
103:
486:
in New York City (later moved to Secaucus, New Jersey and renamed to WWOR), WGN-TV in Chicago and
229:, since 2015, are presently blocked in markets where MyNetworkTV affiliates are invoking the law.
686:
683:– Canadian technique of placing a Canadian signal over the American signal on cable and satellite
652:
400:
539:
superstation feed, later branded as "WGN Superstation" and "Superstation WGN", would be renamed
411:
carried by ESPN would be blacked out in areas that receive either team's local broadcaster. The
1049:
611:
412:
283:
255:
62:
566:
535:
371:
54:
628:
561:
343:
226:
91:
16:
Right of a local TV station over out-of-market TV stations to broadcast the same TV program
399:
are often blacked out in the markets of the teams that are playing, if a local station or
8:
771:
754:
726:
441:. ESPN's most recent contract extension with the league, which went into effect with the
434:
408:
355:
319:
461:
423:
during the regular season and the first round of the playoffs. In another case, ESPN's
420:
331:
170:
50:
955:
857:
624:
299:
251:
182:
106:
transmission), had programming blacked out in some areas where duplication existed.
42:
499:
288:
130:
77:
619:'s cable networks were able to negotiate new full signal rights in the mid-1990s (
830:
577:
162:
142:
403:
also has rights to the game. For example, a weeknight baseball game between the
885:
788:
582:
531:
278:
274:
250:
Syndex also applies to programs seen on stations in Canada and Mexico – in the
569:(the now-defunct production and distribution unit of the station's owner, the
1033:
570:
527:
425:
311:
69:
550:
16, 2014, and, as a result, no longer carries any Chicago-area programming.
978:
518:
After the national version of WWOR ceased uplinking in January 1997 (after
437:. In such instances, the ESPN feed is usually replaced with a simulcast of
404:
193:
73:
58:
740:
541:
457:
201:
34:
565:
was allowed to air on WGN's national "Superstation" signal by virtue of
482:
densities or because one simply did not exist. Three of those stations,
307:
158:
573:) being a majority partner as well as the distributor of the program.
415:
utilizes a similar policy for non-exclusive national games carried by
121:
of 1988. In the run-up to that legislation's passage on May 18, 1988,
660:
648:
295:
602:
174:
122:
862:
644:
632:
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351:
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222:
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99:
95:
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273:
another, unless the league for that sport requests a blackout;
218:
197:
146:
49:(FCC) in the United States that is designed to protect a local
318:(a CBS affiliate owned at the time by LIN, it is now owned by
664:
460:) as well as digital subscription streaming services such as
416:
238:
178:
580:
allowed WGN full signal rights to the syndicated version of
803:"FCC substantially deregulates cable television industry".
707:"FCC adopts compromise plan on big city cable television".
656:
453:
396:
339:
210:
206:
196:
from being picked up in certain markets. In this case, the
126:
429:
games are blacked out in markets that receive coverage of
786:"Proposed cable TV access rules generate lively debate".
507:
303:
237:
There have been a number of legal cases, most notably in
395:
Sporting events that air on a national network such as
713:. San Rafael, California. February 3, 1972. p. 1.
114:, at a time when the popularity of both was growing.
1000:
19:For the Canadian equivalent to this practice, see
553:
1031:
971:
68:As a result, any airings of the same program on
1009:"WGN America Converts to Cable in Five Markets"
912:"FCC ruling may cause TV scheduling problems".
117:The current syndex law was tied in part to the
883:
823:
139:Association of Independent Television Stations
1006:
977:
752:"FCC mulls new rules on cable television".
141:(INTV), presented a study utilizing custom
522:sold WWOR's satellite transponder slot to
769:"Spread of cable TV concerns operators".
370:counties. Time Warner Cable customers in
559:nationwide. For example, the repackaged
294:During an October 2008 dispute between
1032:
933:"MLB, ESPN extend television contract"
826:"FCC Reimposes Rule On TV Exclusivity"
310:games, including those featuring the
588:NBCUniversal Television Distribution
983:"WGN America comes home to Chicago"
244:
232:
13:
1007:Kent Gibbons (December 16, 2014).
724:"FCC adopts rulings on cable TV".
689:– for blackouts of sporting events
14:
1066:
918:. December 27, 1989. p. 15.
853:"FCC Reinstates Exclusive Rights"
520:Advance Entertainment Corporation
433:basketball on local stations via
61:, usually defined by a station's
47:Federal Communications Commission
792:. February 22, 1980. p. 13.
165:, where WGN's satellite carrier
1055:Television in the United States
943:
925:
905:
884:Louise Sweeney (May 26, 1988).
877:
824:Charles Storch (May 19, 1988).
758:. November 6, 1976. p. 21.
730:. February 3, 1972. p. A6.
623:at the time was distributed by
526:to expand national coverage of
476:
291:can be seen on both channels).
845:
817:
809:. July 23, 1980. p. A-8.
796:
779:
762:
745:
734:
717:
700:
554:Syndex-free/full signal rights
1:
891:The Christian Science Monitor
693:
76:must be blocked by the local
775:. June 26, 1979. p. 13.
167:United Video Satellite Group
7:
674:
641:CBS Television Distribution
268:owned-and-operated station
10:
1071:
306:programming (most notably
259:owned-and-operated station
177:. H.R. 2848, sponsored by
161:, whose district included
153:2848, had been blocked by
133:), with the assistance of
84:
18:
806:San Bernardino County Sun
710:Daily Independent Journal
681:Simultaneous substitution
639:(now distributed through
600:used the same method for
431:Atlantic Coast Conference
390:simultaneous substitution
119:Satellite Home Viewer Act
21:Simultaneous substitution
1013:Broadcasting & Cable
915:The Galveston Daily News
598:Sony Pictures Television
524:Discovery Communications
450:National Football League
254:television market, when
92:Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon
65:Designated Market Area.
687:Blackout (broadcasting)
635:has national rights to
401:regional sports network
27:Syndication exclusivity
1045:Television terminology
1040:Television syndication
637:The Andy Griffith Show
627:, then its successor,
621:The Andy Griffith Show
612:The Andy Griffith Show
413:National Hockey League
284:Hockey Night in Canada
981:(December 15, 2014).
567:Tribune Entertainment
45:) implemented by the
629:Paramount Television
562:American Idol Rewind
227:Secaucus, New Jersey
125:(general manager of
112:independent stations
72:and, more commonly,
772:Santa Cruz Sentinel
755:Des Moines Register
727:El Paso Herald-Post
320:Nexstar Media Group
213:/New York City and
959:. December 4, 1993
939:. August 29, 2012.
462:Amazon Prime Video
332:Erie, Pennsylvania
296:LIN TV Corporation
51:television station
956:Los Angeles Times
858:Los Angeles Times
336:Chautauqua County
300:Time Warner Cable
277:games carried on
252:Buffalo, New York
1062:
1024:
1023:
1021:
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1004:
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732:
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721:
715:
714:
704:
500:WWOR EMI Service
388:A similar rule,
245:Notable examples
233:Legal challenges
209:in Los Angeles,
181:Democratic Rep.
173:Democratic Rep.
131:Orlando, Florida
1070:
1069:
1065:
1064:
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831:Chicago Tribune
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696:
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578:20th Television
571:Tribune Company
556:
513:cable-only feed
479:
247:
235:
185:, then passed.
163:Tulsa, Oklahoma
157:representative
87:
39:47 U.S.C.
29:(also known as
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865:. May 18, 1988
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789:Kokomo Tribune
778:
761:
744:
733:
716:
698:
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695:
692:
691:
690:
684:
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673:
667:from carrying
555:
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393:
386:
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348:Steuben County
324:Niagara County
279:CBC Television
275:Buffalo Sabres
246:
243:
234:
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135:Preston Padden
86:
83:
70:cable networks
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
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1056:
1053:
1051:
1050:Broadcast law
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1038:
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528:Animal Planet
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435:Raycom Sports
432:
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426:ACC Wednesday
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312:Buffalo Bills
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82:
79:
75:
74:superstations
71:
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53:'s rights to
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43:§ 76.103
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1012:
1002:
990:. Retrieved
986:
979:Robert Feder
973:
963:December 10,
961:. Retrieved
954:
945:
936:
927:
919:
913:
907:
897:September 3,
895:. Retrieved
889:
879:
869:September 3,
867:. Retrieved
856:
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837:September 3,
835:. Retrieved
829:
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810:
804:
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787:
781:
770:
764:
753:
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736:
725:
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620:
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581:
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560:
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546:
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496:
480:
477:Some effects
424:
282:
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194:Dish Network
191:
187:
116:
108:
88:
67:
59:local market
30:
26:
25:
1018:January 11,
992:January 11,
542:WGN America
458:NFL Network
443:2014 season
421:NHL Network
376:Cattaraugus
289:MSG Network
202:MyNetworkTV
183:John Bryant
35:federal law
1034:Categories
741:dpjohnson1
694:References
631:). Today,
344:Binghamton
171:Washington
159:Mike Synar
155:Democratic
55:syndicated
661:Milwaukee
606:for TBS.
488:WTCG/WTBS
409:Cardinals
356:Rochester
104:satellite
937:CBS News
675:See also
603:Seinfeld
380:Allegany
354:(out of
342:(out of
330:(out of
221:, while
175:Al Swift
123:Tom Meek
863:Reuters
812:cities.
653:Raleigh
645:WRAL-TV
633:TV Land
593:30 Rock
586:as did
492:Atlanta
470:Peacock
439:ESPNEWS
383:choice.
368:Wyoming
364:Genesee
360:Orleans
352:WROC-TV
328:WSEE-TV
316:WIVB-TV
287:and on
270:CIII-DT
262:CFTO-DT
223:WWOR-TV
215:KWGN-TV
143:Nielsen
137:of the
100:Atlanta
85:History
63:Nielsen
33:) is a
625:Viacom
617:Viacom
615:until
596:, and
532:Pax TV
504:The WB
484:WOR-TV
468:, and
350:, and
266:Global
219:Denver
147:WGN-TV
41:
31:syndex
665:Me-TV
590:with
466:ESPN+
417:NBCSN
358:) in
346:) in
334:) in
239:Miami
179:Texas
78:cable
1020:2015
994:2015
965:2010
899:2015
871:2015
839:2015
657:WVTV
655:and
649:WRAZ
456:and
454:ESPN
448:The
407:and
405:Cubs
397:ESPN
378:and
372:Erie
366:and
340:WBNG
298:and
211:WPIX
207:KTLA
200:and
151:H.R.
127:WOFL
96:WTCG
659:in
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536:TBS
508:UPN
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281:'s
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37:(
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