With some Wisconsin residents facing a Green Bay Packers NFL broadcast blackout, U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI) presented legislation on Friday that would provide all Packers fans the opportunity to watch the team in their own homes.
The Granting Our People the Ability to Cheer Kickoff (GO PACK) Act would allow Wisconsinites who reside in the Twin Cities crossover viewing area the ability to access Wisconsin television broadcasts.
Many residents from the seven counties neighboring Minnesota, known as “orphan counties,” do not have access to Wisconsin television broadcasts under the current law. GO PACK legislation would change that discrepancy, bringing Wisconsin programming to the region.
“In Wisconsin, football season means Packers season,” Duffy said. “But some Wisconsinites may miss as many as 10 Packers games this season due to conflicting football schedules. GO PACK will allow households to continue to access their current programming, but also give residents the choice to access Wisconsin news, weather and sports – including Packers games. This is a choice Wisconsinites deserve the opportunity to make.”
The GO PACK bill would provide the option for local programming for Wisconsin residents in those seven border counties, by allowing them to access in-state, over-the-air broadcasting signals. Subscribers to cable or satellite services may choose between their current broadcasting and the Wisconsin version, or – for an additional fee – obtain both market broadcasts.