ESPN Seeks Extension of Video Description Exemption

The FCC should extend ESPN’s exclusion from the list of non-broadcast networks that are subject to video description rules, ESPN and parent Disney said in a request posted in docket 11-43 Thursday. The video description rules apply to the top five national non-broadcast networks as ranked by Nielsen, and ESPN is No. 2 behind USA, said a public notice released by the Media Bureau earlier this month (see 1501070038). ESPN was exempt from the video description requirement previously and should be again because it doesn’t show 50 hours of prime time programming that isn’t live or near-live and thus is ineligible for the requirement, ESPN and Disney said.