Media Contact: 
Neil Grace, (202) 418-0506
neil.grace@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC RULES ON GAME SHOW NETWORK’S PROGRAM CARRIAGE 
COMPLAINT AGAINST CABLEVISION
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WASHINGTON, July 13, 2017 – Today, the Federal Communications Commission responded to 
Cablevision’s appeal of a decision by the FCC’s Administrative Law Judge which granted Game 
Show Network’s (GSN) program carriage complaint against Cablevision.  The Memorandum 
Opinion and Order adopted today reverses the Initial Decision and denies GSN’s complaint.
GSN filed a complaint against Cablevision on October 12, 2011, alleging program carriage 
discrimination in violation of Commission rules.  GSN alleged that Cablevision discriminated 
against it by changing distribution of GSN from its expanded basic programming tier to a less 
widely distributed premium sports tier.  GSN alleged that it is similarly situated to two cable 
networks—namely, WE tv and Wedding Central—which were affiliated with Cablevision at the 
time, and that Cablevision treated GSN differently than those two networks in violation of FCC 
rules and section 616 of the Communications Act.
Following a hearing before the FCC’s Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), the Commission’s 
Enforcement Bureau, which was a party to the proceeding, filed comments urging the ALJ to 
deny the complaint.  However, on November 23, 2016, the ALJ issued an Initial Decision, 
granting GSN’s program carriage complaint and imposing a monetary forfeiture against 
Cablevision and mandatory carriage on the expanded basic tier. On January 3, 2017, Cablevision 
appealed the ALJ’s Initial Decision to the Commission by filing Exceptions to the Initial 
Decision.  
Reviewing the Administrative Law Judge’s decision de novo, the Commission finds no direct 
evidence that Cablevision’s carriage decision was made “on the basis of” GSN’s non-affiliation 
with Cablevision.  The Commission also finds that GSN’s circumstantial evidence case fails 
because it has not shown that GSN is similarly situated to WE tv or Wedding Central.  The 
Commission also finds that GSN fails to overcome Cablevision’s legitimate and non-
discriminatory business reasons for removing GSN from the expanded basic tier, including cost 
savings.
Action by the Commission July 13, 2017 by Memorandum Opinion and Order (FCC 17-96). 
Chairman Pai and Commissioner O’Rielly approving. Commissioner Clyburn dissenting. 
Commissioners Clyburn and O’Rielly issuing separate statements.  
MB Docket No. 12-122
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Office of Media Relations: (202) 418-0500
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www.fcc.gov/office-media-relations
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes 
official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).