Post by georgiaboy on Dec 20, 2010 7:33:48 GMT -5
Looks like Lee Brantley is going to stick it to us again! He is the reason it took so long to get locals to begin with! This will really be bad if WTVM is not carried on Directv after finally getting it after all of these years. Don't be greedy WTVM!
www.wtvm.com/Global/story.asp?S=13659842
Raycom Media, this station's parent company, is currently in good faith negotiations with DirecTV to ensure the continued availability of this television station and the popular news and entertainment programs you enjoy on DirecTV. We are hopeful of a positive outcome and will keep you informed on the progress of the negotiations. There is a possibility we could cease being carried by DirecTV on January 1 if these negotiations fail.
1. Why would this station be dropped from the DirecTV system?
We've been working to reach a fair agreement with DirecTV that would allow its subscribers to continue receiving our station's signal. Unfortunately, to date, DirecTV has not accepted our offers of resolution. Despite our best efforts to negotiate in good faith with DirecTV, our agreement with DirecTV is set to expire on December 31st.
We continue to work hard to resolve the situation as soon as possible, but we wanted to make you aware of the possibility that DirecTV subscribers may not have access to our programming beginning December 31st.
2. If DirecTV drops this station, won't DirecTV simply make network programming available from another station?
No. There are rules in place to prevent DirecTV from showing network broadcasts without the local broadcasters' programming. However, we are doing everything we can to ensure that we don't get to that point. If we do, viewers should remember that they can always get our programming over the Web or by using an over-the-air TV antenna.
3. If DirecTV agrees to this station's request, won't DirecTV simply raise my monthly bill?
This station has no control over DirecTV, or any other provider's rates or decision to raise rates. But, it is important to remember that DirecTV is already charging subscribers for local channels each month. In fact, in this market, DirecTV charges local subscribers hundreds of thousands of dollars each year just to provide local programming. Our station receives a tiny percentage of that revenue and we do not believe that it is a fair arrangement, given the amount of time our station invests in producing and securing that programming.
Frankly, rates should not increase just because DirecTV starts fairly compensating our station for the money it makes by using our signal, our news and our programming.
Remember, you can always get this station's programming in high-definition for free with the use of an over-the-air antenna or access news, sports, weather and live video on our station's website.
4. What are my options for getting this station's programming?
Other providers in this market will continue to carry this station without interruption. Alternatively, you can always get this station's programming in a variety of ways:
* Our signal is available throughout the area in high-definition for free, with the use of an over-the-air antenna.
* Several telecommunications companies also offer television services.
5. Why is this not affecting any other stations in this market?
We certainly can't speak for any other station, but the contract that allows DirecTV to retransmit our programming is set to expire on December 31st. For months, we attempted to resolve this situation without any interruption for DirecTV subscribers. Unfortunately, to date, DirecTV has rebuffed repeated attempts at a resolution.
Thousands of such agreements between local stations and cable or satellite providers have been reached over the years. In fact, only a handful of negotiations have come to this point. As a result, viewers continue to have access to local information on which they have come to depend. Our station has already reached agreement with other providers. However, DirecTV has refused to resolve this situation in a way that is fair to its subscribers and our community.
6. Doesn't this come down to money?
No. It is about our commitment to providing the quality news, weather, sports and entertainment, programming our viewers have come to expect from us over the years.
This station invests millions in this community to produce the kind of local programming and news coverage that makes a difference in people's lives. DirecTV — who is using that content and charging you for it — should agree to fair compensation for the right to retransmit our signal.
www.wtvm.com/Global/story.asp?S=13659842
Raycom Media, this station's parent company, is currently in good faith negotiations with DirecTV to ensure the continued availability of this television station and the popular news and entertainment programs you enjoy on DirecTV. We are hopeful of a positive outcome and will keep you informed on the progress of the negotiations. There is a possibility we could cease being carried by DirecTV on January 1 if these negotiations fail.
1. Why would this station be dropped from the DirecTV system?
We've been working to reach a fair agreement with DirecTV that would allow its subscribers to continue receiving our station's signal. Unfortunately, to date, DirecTV has not accepted our offers of resolution. Despite our best efforts to negotiate in good faith with DirecTV, our agreement with DirecTV is set to expire on December 31st.
We continue to work hard to resolve the situation as soon as possible, but we wanted to make you aware of the possibility that DirecTV subscribers may not have access to our programming beginning December 31st.
2. If DirecTV drops this station, won't DirecTV simply make network programming available from another station?
No. There are rules in place to prevent DirecTV from showing network broadcasts without the local broadcasters' programming. However, we are doing everything we can to ensure that we don't get to that point. If we do, viewers should remember that they can always get our programming over the Web or by using an over-the-air TV antenna.
3. If DirecTV agrees to this station's request, won't DirecTV simply raise my monthly bill?
This station has no control over DirecTV, or any other provider's rates or decision to raise rates. But, it is important to remember that DirecTV is already charging subscribers for local channels each month. In fact, in this market, DirecTV charges local subscribers hundreds of thousands of dollars each year just to provide local programming. Our station receives a tiny percentage of that revenue and we do not believe that it is a fair arrangement, given the amount of time our station invests in producing and securing that programming.
Frankly, rates should not increase just because DirecTV starts fairly compensating our station for the money it makes by using our signal, our news and our programming.
Remember, you can always get this station's programming in high-definition for free with the use of an over-the-air antenna or access news, sports, weather and live video on our station's website.
4. What are my options for getting this station's programming?
Other providers in this market will continue to carry this station without interruption. Alternatively, you can always get this station's programming in a variety of ways:
* Our signal is available throughout the area in high-definition for free, with the use of an over-the-air antenna.
* Several telecommunications companies also offer television services.
5. Why is this not affecting any other stations in this market?
We certainly can't speak for any other station, but the contract that allows DirecTV to retransmit our programming is set to expire on December 31st. For months, we attempted to resolve this situation without any interruption for DirecTV subscribers. Unfortunately, to date, DirecTV has rebuffed repeated attempts at a resolution.
Thousands of such agreements between local stations and cable or satellite providers have been reached over the years. In fact, only a handful of negotiations have come to this point. As a result, viewers continue to have access to local information on which they have come to depend. Our station has already reached agreement with other providers. However, DirecTV has refused to resolve this situation in a way that is fair to its subscribers and our community.
6. Doesn't this come down to money?
No. It is about our commitment to providing the quality news, weather, sports and entertainment, programming our viewers have come to expect from us over the years.
This station invests millions in this community to produce the kind of local programming and news coverage that makes a difference in people's lives. DirecTV — who is using that content and charging you for it — should agree to fair compensation for the right to retransmit our signal.