WTVM might be off Directv Jan 1! Yuck

[georgiaboy]

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.

[walter]

Lee Brantley isn't the reason it took so long to get on DirecTV or Dish Network. The station practically begged for carriage for the past 10 years. WTVM, WALB, and WSFA were added to their lineup in the past 6 months after many years of seaking carriage. The Raycom "group" contract for carriage was up for renewal the end of this year. This is unfortunate timing for the satellite viewers in those markets but contracts have life spans and when they come up, well they have to be renegotiated. I expect after posturing by both parties, a deal will be struck before the 12/31/2010 deadline.

[panomac]

I saw the 9-1 and 54-1 messages on my guide today. This would not be cool! Hope they get it worked out.

[jlharper59]

Either way, it is poor customer service on WTVM's part - they knew that the contract was up for renegotiation when they agreed to be carried. This was similar to "bait and switch" - let's get the consumer happy that WTVM is on DirecTV and then we can negotiate with DirecTV for more money, with the consumer behind us! They "practically begged" to be carried - knowing what the revenue was at the time.

So - can someone explain to me what the cost is to WTVM to be carried on DirecTV? Do they provide the hardware for uplink or is that done by DirecTV?

Per the above "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." If they only need revenue to pay for the programming, are they not coming out ahead with ANY percentage from DirecTV and is that not what advertising revenue is for? If they get 10 cents per month from me, that is 10 cents more than they would get through my using an OTA.

This is one of the exact reasons why broadcast channels are dying a slow death..you want me to pay for carriage (satellite and cable) AND sit through advertising as well. Were it not for live sports and local news - it would already be dead, as you can get the vast majority of their programming from other providers.

With that said - DirecTV is not blameless here either...FAIR revenue sharing should be provided, but not at the consumer's expense - holding us hostage as everyone negotiates for their piece of the cash-cow.

[georgiaboy]

Great post jlharper59. I happen to know the very deep details of why it has taken so long for the Columbus,Ga DMA to be carried and it was not as simple as WTVM begging to be carried and DirecTV and Dish Network ignored the request.

[walter]

So "georgiaboy", why don't you enlighten us since you know all the details. I for one would like to know the "deep details of why it has taken so long for the Columbus, GA DMA to be carried".

[jlharper59]

Well...I am not here to bash Lee Brantley, as the negotiations are more than likely above his level anyway and involve the "legal experts" at Raycom Corporate. As well, I would be surprised that he would have anything to do with how long it took to get the Columbus DMA on satellite. It was simply a revenue plan for the sat companies - their footprint in this area did not justify using the bandwidth at the time (DirecTV got a new satellite fairly recently, remember?) for Columbus, as opposed to some other market.

However, WTVM/Raycom did this same thing a few years back...with CTVEA - Phenix City Cable. Threats, ads, articles in the newspaper that cable was not compensating them fairly to carry their channel and if negotiations were not successful, WTVM would not be available for those subscribers. It worked like a charm - emails were flying hot and heavy to CTVEA from subscribers screaming at them to make sure they got their channel.

If the game plan worked last time, why not this time?

Oh, and a last note - I have communicated 4-5 times over a couple of year period via email and Lee has been nothing but courteous and helpful - even when I sent him an email disagreeing with their tactics with the cable company- which I had at the time. Again, this is more than likely out of his hands.

[panomac]

wtvm/wxtx stayed on the air

[jlharper59]

I'll feel better when I see something official - I doubt they would turn it off on a Holiday, plus it is Saturday.

[jlharper59]

Caught a scrolling message on FOX-54 just a bit ago...they have provided a signed contract to DirecTV and are awaiting a signature/response from the same...covers us through 2014. Not sure if the same has occurred for WTVM or not.
Hope that means the contract was agreeable to both parties and that DirecTV will simply sign tomorrow........

Checked WTVM's website and it says the same.

"Important notice for DirecTV subscribers
We have provided DirecTV a signed copy of an agreement that will allow continued carriage of this station to DirecTV subscribers into 2014. We are awaiting their signature."

[sklej]

Interesting info from Swanni at TVPredicitions:

www.tvpredictions.com/draycom010511.htm

Basically DirecTV is saying they have carriage rights through 2011.