WKMG are idiots.

[Saxamoophone]

They really showed off how stupid they are today.

I hope brighthouse drops their greedy asses.

Any chance CBS corp would let the BH pick up another CBS feed? I know there are some federal laws in work here...but...they should really be a clause in there for idiots.

WKMG has awful local news (stretch-o-vision itself makes me want to turn them off) as it is.

[stevenl]

what did they do? I know there was contract disputes.

[Saxamoophone]

They are trying to get their viewers to harass brighthouse into paying them. Through their news program, a 800 number hotline for questions, and over their website wkmg.com.

They took the whole thing out to the public, saying how they want "their share" from brighthouse.

And of course most of the public is stupid enough to side with them.....If they really just told the public the truth: we want to raise your cable bill $5 a house (since you know if BH yields to WKMG, EVERY local channel would want a piece of the action), who would really side with them?

And of course WKMG has the president of Brighthouse's email and phone number listed all over their website, yet, make it VERY hard to find the WKMG station manager's email address.....

So I sent a letter to BH asking them to "keep up a good fight" and sent a nasty letter to WKMG telling them to lay off the greed, and that I would just watch their shows on CBS.com and bypass them all together.

[BFG]

[jcarrera]

I couldn't care less either way, UNLESS MY CABLE BILL GOES UP. WKMG is such a lousy station, I don't watch it much at all.

It seems to me that there is logic in the observation that distributing the signal on cable does give WKMG a much broader coverage than otherwise--and that has value.

It is also true that having WKMG on cable MAY give BHN some additional income. Maybe not. I certainly don't know whether that nets out as more of a $$ benefit to WKMG or to BHN. It might be that WKMG should pay BHN to distribute its signal. I just don't know who benefits most.

[iceturkee]

truthfully, i think both sides are at fault for this mess. but shame on channel 6 for airing their dirty laundry. that's irresponsible journalism.

btw, those of you in the orlando area who read the sentinel might be amused to know that tv critic hal bodekker emailed wanting to interview me for the first story he wrote last week about this mess. i was quickly disqualified after i mentioned the secret words.....use to freelance for your paper. that and i do know a couple of people who work at WKMG!

[stevenl]

Yea what crap on WKMG side. They are risking losing a solid 1 million subs in the CFL area having access to their channel. Because they want to charge for a free service. If wkmg disconnects its service 1 million people will no longer be watching that channel. How many of them also have an antenna? Id bet very small amount.

The problem is not the price WKMG wants. Its the precedent it will make. Their are what 6 or more local stations in this area, who will then want a bit of the pie. Guess whos paying the bill.. Ill give you a hint BHN does not pay for ANY channel it has..

From the WKMG site is full of lies
--
Bright House captures the signal for free and sends it to their customers -- charging those customers a minimum of $52 a month for a basic cable package.

WKMG-TV Shows May Go Dark Over Bright House Cable Fee Dispute - Orlando News Story - WKMG Orlando

--

The minimum to get WKMG is more like 20bucks with tax!

[stevenl]

My email to WKMG:

I was wondering why you are lying to you viewers on both your tv and website. Claiming BHN's basic backage is 52$ a month. BHN Standard package is 52.99. BHN Basic cable (which is their "Antenna Service") is less then 25$ a month WITH taxes. Please stop feeding false information to you viewers.

Bright House Networks, provides your channel to hundreds of thousands of people who otherwise would not be able to receive it, now even more so then ever with the transmission limits of the digital signals. Without Bright House broadcasting your channels (at no cost to its subscribers for the channel) you would not have the audiance you enjoy now. You also claim its pennies on the dollar yes, that may be true per person. But were talking MILLIONS of dollars a year. Lets at least be honest here.

The precedent this will set will make other local stations want to do the same thing in this market. Guess what that means, instead of Bright House customers having to pay more just for your channel they will have to pay for FOX NBC etc, Our cable bills are high enough as it is to not have to pay for a BROADCAST station. Bright House customers would expect a bill increase of 1-2$ a month, paying for all the local stations. You also say DISH and Direct pay you for your signal. That may be true but they charge customers an extra 5-7$ a month for the local stations. Bright House Charges nothing extra for them. They are not factored into the cost of the cable service.

Bottom line, stop lying to your viewers at least be honest. Let them make the choice based on the honest situation not your dogma.

[iceturkee]

My email to WKMG:

You also say DISH and Direct pay you for your signal. That may be true but they charge customers an extra 5-7$ a month for the local stations. Bright House Charges nothing extra for them. They are not factored into the cost of the cable service.

incorrect......directv hasn't charged extra for local channels in almost 4 years. i can't speak for dish network.

[stevenl]

Dish Network
Orlando, FL DMA Package $5.00

5$ for locals.

Directv = free

So I was half wrong my bad