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Want to watch CFB for free? NO MORE if the broadcasters get their way.

Featured Replies

Posting on the football board as this directly affects watching CFB.  Many of us, particularly older folks (and cheap bastards like me), rely on OTA boardcasts to watch a large numbers of games. Whether that's because boardcast channels aren't available (looking at you Sling) or just looking to cut costs (with the Sling daypass, I've been able to keep my costs this year under $50 total). Stole this from a reddit post in r/cordcutters:

The FCC has reopened comments (deadline early 2026) on letting stations encrypt primary ATSC 3.0 channels — the exact thing that is already forcing CBS in some markets to fall back to lower-quality 1.0 or BLOCKING recording/playback entirely on HDHomeRun, Plex, Tablo, etc.

If encryption wins without strong rules, we lose: • The ability to watch/record on the device we choose • Fair-use recording and ad-skipping • Truly free, open over-the-air TV on the public airwaves

Public comments have stopped this before — they can again.

Filing takes literally one minute here:

→ https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/express

Proceeding: 16-142 (no space before the number)

Copy/paste examples (or write your own):

Shorter version- Proceeding 16-142

The FCC charter for public broadcast TV provides that those radio frequencies are for the use by the public. ANY encryption at all on those frequencies violates that charter.

Please ban encryption/DRM on primary ATSC 3.0 channels OR require permanent unencrypted ATSC 1.0 simulcasts.

Free OTA should stay open to any antenna and any tuner — no paywall on public airwaves.

Longer version- Proceeding 16-142

The FCC charter for public broadcast TV provides that those radio frequencies are for the use by the public. ANY encryption at all on those frequencies has been a violation of that charter.

Any company that considers their content too valuable to broadcast unencrypted should not be granted a license to use the public airwaves.

Encryption on primary broadcast channels would destroy over-the-air TV for millions who use HDHomeRun, Plex, Tablo, etc.

I urge the FCC to prohibit redistribution-control descriptors on the main program stream OR make full-quality 1.0 simulcasts permanent for any station that encrypts its 3.0 signal.

Every single comment submitted to the FCC gets read. Let’s not lose free OTA to DRM.

 

 

 

I would vote to get rid of the broadcasters altogether and have mics strategically placed around the field. I'd rather hear the players curse at each other, the coaches, and the officials.

47 minutes ago, DFW Horn said:

I would vote to get rid of the broadcasters altogether and have mics strategically placed around the field. I'd rather hear the players curse at each other, the coaches, and the officials.

Lol we are not talking about Herbstreit we are talking about ABC restricting free access to games.

1 minute ago, linux said:

Lol we are not talking about Herbstreit we are talking about ABC restricting free access to games.

Thanks for clarifying. Herbie can fuck off, too.

1 hour ago, DFW Horn said:

I would vote to get rid of the broadcasters altogether and have mics strategically placed around the field. I'd rather hear the players curse at each other, the coaches, and the officials.

Are You Stupid Antoine Dodson GIF

1 hour ago, DFW Horn said:

I would vote to get rid of the broadcasters altogether and have mics strategically placed around the field. I'd rather hear the players curse at each other, the coaches, and the officials.

Or just do AI calling the game based on the digital scoreboard and hot women. If there is one labor group Ive no issue with AI replacing its broadcasters. We can do the same for all the ESPN shows as far as Im concerned. Use Disney characters. They already own the IP.

16 minutes ago, linux said:

Lol we are not talking about Herbstreit we are talking about ABC restricting free access to games.

Do go interjecting facts into our rants. It's rude! 

31 minutes ago, BurntEyes said:

Or just do AI calling the game based on the digital scoreboard and hot women. If there is one labor group Ive no issue with AI replacing its broadcasters. We can do the same for all the ESPN shows as far as Im concerned. Use Disney characters. They already own the IP.

I would buy stock in AI Craig Way, Inc. 

To The Moon GIF by OKX

1 hour ago, BurntEyes said:

Or just do AI calling the game based on the digital scoreboard and hot women. If there is one labor group Ive no issue with AI replacing its broadcasters. We can do the same for all the ESPN shows as far as Im concerned. Use Disney characters. They already own the IP.

...and we're live from the Cheez It Bowl with Mickey Mouse on the call! Goofy on color and Minnie Mouse working the sidelines. Back to you, Daffy Duck

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