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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3167RESOLUTION NO 3167 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDLANDS, CALIFORNIA EX- PRESSING OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION BLACKOUT OF SPORTS PROGRAMMING ON CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEMS (F,C,C. Docket 19417) WHEREAS, the Federal Communications Commission (F C C.,) is proposing to es- tablish a rule which states that on the day when a baseball, basketball, hockey or football team is playing at home, a cable system cannot carry a game of the same sport if the game is not being shown on a television station located within 35 miles of the cable system or whibh is significantly viewed, and WHEREAS, this proposed rule may encompass minor league teams as well as major leagues and may be expanded to include other team sports and college sports, and WHEREAS, this proposed rule appears to grant a special pri liege to certain sports interests by withholding from the public its right to view programs tele- cast over the public airwaves and carried by cable systems to viewers who may be beyond the range lof over -the -air telecast facilities, and WHEREAS, sports interests have greatly benefited from the great publicity given them over the years by television stations and cable systems broadcasts of sports, as well as receiving substantial remuneration for the telecasting of the individual games or matches, and WHEREAS, the interests of millions of viewers served through cable television, including the citizens of Redlands who are about to receive cable television serv- ice, will be jeopardized by the adoption of this rule which would deny them presently received telecasts of sports events ever the public airwaves and cable systems, and WHEREAS, there is no evidence that telecasting sports eJents causes an attri- tion of attendance at such events, this fact being reported by the F.00C, in April, 19739 to the Commerce Committee of the United States Senate, and WHEREAS, this proposed rule is in contravention of anti-trust principles and will restrict competition rather than promote it, and WHEREAS, this proposed rule would have a punitive effect on the cable tele- ision industry, an industry which has invested many milliuns of dollars in plants and equipment, and created many thousands of jobs throughout the nation, and which will continue to create additional jobs if permitted to carry the television pro- grams the public is rightfully entitled to view; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Redlands, California that said City goes on record as opposing the Federal Communication Commission proposed rule which would deny cable television systems the right to carry certain sports events which are telecast over the public airwaves and urges that the F.CoC, not adopt such a rule, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this opposition be communicated to the Chairman and Members of the Federal Communication Commission and all members of the California congressional delegation.. ADOPTED, SIGNED AND APPROVED this 4th day of March, 1975. ATTEST: 19 Peggy A, Moseley, City Clerk of the City of Redlands, hereby certify that Resolution Nco, 3167 was adopted at the regular meeting of the City Council held March 49 1975.