FCC proposal would force cable companies to issue rebates for channel blackouts

In this photo illustration, a blue screen message is displayed with QR code on Spectrum TV over the ESPN channel amid a dispute between Disney and Charter Spectrum.

A blue screen that popped up last month while Disney and Charter negotiated over a new TV deal. | Photo Illustration by Mario Tama / Getty Images

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has a pair of proposals aimed at dealing with channel blackouts (via Deadline). They follow a recent dispute where millions of Spectrum (Charter Communications) subscribers abruptly lost access to Disney-owned channels such as ABC and ESPN, even forcing a US Open finalist to watch pirate streams of the event he was playing in.

One proposed new rule requires cable and satellite providers to give rebates to customers when there’s a blackout due to failed retransmission agreements with broadcast stations and channel group owners. The other one says Multichannel Video Program Distributors (MVPDs) have to notify the FCC via an online portal before any expected blackouts (ones that last 24 hours...