What does this mean?

[ABC7]

This is a message that is plastered on a not-so local channel:

"This channel is currently blacked out at the request of a broadcast system or cable provider or in accordance of FCC regulations?"

[/color]

What does that mean? It either sounds tech-speak or corporate-speak.

[TheRolyPoly]

Mabye it's you have to pay the channel or the channel is out due to technical diffculties

[ABC7]

The channel is on a basic cable. Instead, audio from infomercials play over the message. Yuck.

What is a local broadcaster?

[LFMusicFan]

There are 2 channels here that almost always have a blue screen with a similar message written in large, yellow text. Of course, as I type this, they aren't showing the blue screen. I'll post a pic of it later...

[ABC7]

That's exactly what it looks like!

[Tyler]

FCC regulations state that when there is a local full power broadcast station within a market … then that broadcaster has the right to enforce two FCCs rules: 1) network non-duplication and 2) syndicated exclusivity rules…

These FCC rules require that cable operators can not carry duplicate stations and that the cable operator must blackout any and all duplicated programming if it exists, on other stations.

So, it must mean some other channel is carrying the exact same programming, or something similar to that situation.

[lfmusiclover]

Yep, Tyler is right. Once the program is over the station should return. 

[LFMusicFan]

Channel 2 just started showing the blue screen. Here's an attached image.

[ABC7]

It has to do with syndication, then. Why are there so many hcannels running the exact same programming? Here are all my affiliates:

2: KTVU: Fox
3: KCBA: Fox 35
4: Spanish Channel KSMS
5: KION CBS 48
6: KSBW NBC 8
7: What's my username?
9: KQED PBS
10: KTEH PBS
11: KOTR: My Network or... yeah.
13: KICU This is the channel being blocked
14: CW Call letters unsure
16: KSPS PAX
18: Spanish Channel
20: Spanish Channel
25: Educational

[TheRolyPoly]

Which CW:
Where you live or San Francisco, CA?

[Tyler]

Syndication... that's exactly the reason you're seeing it. Should of been more clear in my post above.

[ABC7]

Carmel, CA.

I think it is SF's CW. I don't think I have a more local CW affiliate,

KTVU is only showing infomercials. Comcast needs to take it and KICU off my channel listings;

[TheRolyPoly]

You do have a local CW affliate, but it's on KION-DT2 (Central Coast CW)

San Francisco, CA:
KBCW (The CW, 44/Cable 12)

[ABC7]

Got it, it's just not an analog channel.

[TheRolyPoly]

Looks like cable & satellite are the lucky ones including you