WVUE Dish dispute

[BrettStah]

I just disagree that locals should hand over their signal for no charge.

But that is exactly what they do with their signal 24/7, isn't it? If the satellite companies start inserting their own ads or something, then that's something else. Maybe the law should be written such that the satellite companies would need to split any revenue from local channels with the local stations, IF the satellite company plucks the signals from the air like anyone can do, and they retransmit it back to the same geographic area. If they want to work out a deal to get a direct fiber hookup, then they can negotiate for that however they want to.

[delidirk]

This is a great resource the cable and sat industry has on the battle with the FCC and congress to change the retransmission fees debacle...
http://www.americancable.org/issues/...ission_Consent

Sent from my iPad using SatelliteGuys

[sam_gordon]

But that is exactly what they do with their signal 24/7, isn't it? If the satellite companies start inserting their own ads or something, then that's something else. Maybe the law should be written such that the satellite companies would need to split any revenue from local channels with the local stations, IF the satellite company plucks the signals from the air like anyone can do, and they retransmit it back to the same geographic area. If they want to work out a deal to get a direct fiber hookup, then they can negotiate for that however they want to.

So you think satellite/cable providers don't already make a profit on locals? Again, what do you think would happen if you charged folks to come watch the Super Bowl at your house? What would you do if a friend told you "Hey, I found a website where I can buy Acrobat Reader for only $5!"?

I have OTA going through my Dish receivers. I *STILL* have to pay the fee. Why? Because Dish won't use the PSIP information (that's included in the OTA signal for free) in their guides. So, I have to pay a fee to get information that's ALREADY IN THE RECEIVER for free.

And let's also be honest... while I agree satellite/cable is a requirement for SOME people in order to receive locals, those numbers are the minority by far.

[Yespage]

So you think satellite/cable providers don't already make a profit on locals? Again, what do you think would happen if you charged folks to come watch the Super Bowl at your house? What would you do if a friend told you "Hey, I found a website where I can buy Acrobat Reader for only $5!"?

I have OTA going through my Dish receivers. I *STILL* have to pay the fee. Why? Because Dish won't use the PSIP information (that's included in the OTA signal for free) in their guides. So, I have to pay a fee to get information that's ALREADY IN THE RECEIVER for free.

And let's also be honest... while I agree satellite/cable is a requirement for SOME people in order to receive locals, those numbers are the minority by far.

Minority by far? In the day of digital OTA, where it is all or nothing for a signal? Remember, the OTA for locals also means DVR for the locals. And Dish is required to offer these channels which means that they have to put aside bandwidth for them, meaning fewer channels to draw income from.

[sam_gordon]

Minority by far? In the day of digital OTA, where it is all or nothing for a signal? Remember, the OTA for locals also means DVR for the locals. And Dish is required to offer these channels which means that they have to put aside bandwidth for them, meaning fewer channels to draw income from.

Yes, minority by far. I feel the majority of people, if they took the time/effort to put up a proper antenna would be able to receive their locals. I do agree some viewers DO need satellite/cable providers to get the locals, but by no means ALL of them, or even half.

And I disagree that ANY satellite/cable company is REQUIRED to offer locals. If they were required, there would be no negotiation. Locals would say "pay us $x for each subscriber" and Dish et al would have to go along. Here's some information on "must carry"...
MUST CARRY RULES - The Museum of Broadcast Communications

. It's up to the stations whether they want to utilize "must carry" or "retransmission agreements".

[Mojo Jojo]

This station is currently blocked by its owner, who is demanding an outrageous rate increase in excess of 200%.

[dsimmon9]

This station is currently blocked by its owner, who is demanding an outrageous rate increase in excess of 200%.

They must be getting closer. It started at 300%.

[Tampa8]

If you know the how we got to this point you may not agree the locals should get ONE PENNY!

Briefly; The only reason there even is a DMA is so that the local channels are protected from other affiliates competing with them. For that privilege, the local networks have to provide a free signal. If they could not get you a signal, you were (notice were) allowed to get an outside affiliate.
Now the law has changed, if the satellite company provides a network in a DMA you may no longer can get a distant channel from that provider even if you can not get a signal from the affiliate over the air. So now that affiliate is reaching people it did not have before and your ability to choose another network is gone. This is amplified because getting a digital signal is harder than the analog one was in most cases. Just who is benefiting from this? Satellite an cable should be able to carry it for free, as long as the cost is kept minimal. If a provider wants to make a true profit, then they can deal with a cost to carry them.

Add to that, I don't know what some think it costs to use transponder space and broadcast a signal, including just launching a satellite, overhead costs, etc.. but just how much do think Dish or Direct is raking in at a cost of somewhere around $1 a local channel you are paying. If you can't see it and think the networks should be able to charge apparently you have an open wallet. ANY amount now will increase exponentially I can guarantee it yet you still will have to get only that affiliate with no choice. BS to me...... No payment would mean no more being held hostage by the affiliates also. Dish and Direct pretty much already do, but make it mandatory to carry the locals, charging only the minimal it now is, and don't let the networks charge. Their deal in this is no competition for ad dollars, and reaching everyone in the DMA.

[dare2be]

They must be getting closer. It started at 300%.

300% is in excess of 200%

Sorry, bad joke.

[Yespage]

If you know the how we got to this point you may not agree the locals should get ONE PENNY!

Briefly; The only reason there even is a DMA is so that the local channels are protected from other affiliates competing with them. For that privilege, the local networks have to provide a free signal. If they could not get you a signal, you were (notice were) allowed to get an outside affiliate.
Now the law has changed, if the satellite company provides a network in a DMA you may no longer can get a distant channel from that provider even if you can not get a signal from the affiliate over the air. So now that affiliate is reaching people it did not have before and your ability to choose another network is gone. This is amplified because getting a digital signal is harder than the analog one was in most cases. Just who is benefiting from this? Satellite an cable should be able to carry it for free, as long as the cost is kept minimal. If a provider wants to make a true profit, then they can deal with a cost to carry them.

Add to that, I don't know what some think it costs to use transponder space and broadcast a signal, including just launching a satellite, overhead costs, etc.. but just how much do think Dish or Direct is raking in at a cost of somewhere around $1 a local channel you are paying. If you can't see it and think the networks should be able to charge apparently you have an open wallet. ANY amount now will increase exponentially I can guarantee it yet you still will have to get only that affiliate with no choice. BS to me...... No payment would mean no more being held hostage by the affiliates also. Dish and Direct pretty much already do, but make it mandatory to carry the locals, charging only the minimal it now is, and don't let the networks charge. Their deal in this is no competition for ad dollars, and reaching everyone in the DMA.

Really, these channels do nothing but act as re-broadcasters of their national Affiliate, ABC, NBC, CBS. These channels have virtually no original programming. They have absolutely no right to ask for a dime.