Three top cable television networks have won an exemption from the FCC’s audio description rules applicable to the top five national non-broadcast networks.
Why? It has everything to do with the lack of non-live programming in prime-time.
Fox News Channel, ESPN and MSNBC each requested the exemption, as each of the networks provide less than 50 hours per calendar quarter of prime time programming that is not live or near-live.
As such, beginning July 1, 2024, the top five national non-broadcast networks will be HGTV, Hallmark, TLC, TNT, and TBS.
This means MVPD systems that serve 50,000 or more subscribers must provide 87.5 hours of audio description per calendar quarter on channels carrying each of these networks, FCC Media Bureau Chief Holly Saurer ruled.
