As a result of contractual agreements between professional sports leagues and broadcasters, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) may sometimes require to "blackout" some games of sports teams.

The Sports Blackout Rule protects the holder of the exclusive distribution rights to a local sporting event (i.e. a sports team). The sports blackout rule is only applied if a local TV broadcast station is not carrying the local sporting event. Therefore, if a local TV broadcast station does not have permission to carry the local game, then no other broadcaster's signal displaying the game can be shown in the protected local blackout zone.

Time Warner Cable has no control over these blackouts. Newspaper or TV Guide listings may show times for these games, in spite of the local blackout. We regret that blackouts are necessary and apologize for any inconvenience they may cause.