Print this story |
E-mail story |
This story has 9 comments Add your own |
iPod friendly | Bookmark this
What is this?
KXJB pulls CBS feed from local DirecTV
Published Saturday, January 10, 2009
Some Otter Tail County residents may temporarily lose CBS television programs durng a contract dispute between Fargo station KXJB and DirecTV. KXJB General Manager Charley Johnson said Friday afternoon that his station is only asking for a per subscriber fee for what’s paid in other local markets.
“We have a sister station contracting for 25 percent more than what they’ve offered to us here in Fargo,” Johnson said. “All we’re asking for is comparable and fair rates. It’s unfortunate that viewers have to be caught in the middle of this.”
As of Thursday thousands of people in the Fargo area lost their local CBS television programs during the contract dispute between KXJB and DirecTV. In all, close to 30,000 homes in western Minnesota and eastern North Dakota are affected in what’s considered the designated market area for Fargo televisiuon.
DirecTV spokesman Robert Mercer, according to the Associated Press, said that KXJB's fee demands have been "nothing short of outrageous." He said the demands would mean a fee increase and a financial burden on customers.
Johnson, in response, said that as a DirecTV subscriber himself, he pays about $5 a month. His station, he said, is asking for a fraction of that and is not being unreasonable.
“We’re seeking payment equal to what DirecTV pays local stations in other markets around the country,” Johnson said.
While negotiations continue, station officials say viewers still can get KXJB's signal with an antenna.
Late last year successful negotiations prevented the loss of KXJB and KVLY programming in Fergus Falls and other parts of Otter Tail County. KVLY, the NBC affiliate, and KXJB, the CBS affiliate, directed Charter to pull its broadcasts from the Fergus Falls cable line-up. Successful negotiations prevented this.
Fergus Falls residents would have been left with no NBC programming over its dominant television provider. Park Region Telephone/Otter Tail Telcom, DISH Network, and DirectTV customers would not have been affected by the move.
Because of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules, Charter Communications cannot replace KVLY-NBC on the local line-up because the station has exclusive broadcast rights in the market. CBS programming would not be lost in Fergus Falls because WCCO out of Minneapolis is broadcast in Fergus Falls.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by jafo (anonymous) on January 10, 2009 at 8:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't really care about last year's resolved situation. As of right now, those of us with DirecTV have no CBS.... and I'm not putting up a stinkin antenna for one station. I'm sure both companies are looking for as much as they can get... it's ridiculous that they can't come to a fair compromise. I have contacted DirecTV... so far, their reply was to inform me that my bill was ready.
Posted by 4bluejay (anonymous) on January 10, 2009 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I too contacted DIRECTV, I wanted to purchase the East and West Coast CBS, which I had until Direct started getting the local networks. I was told by Direct that they cannot sell me the network feed for CBS because it is available locally, my response of course was CBS isn't now, so I do understand their position. KXJB suggests an antenna or go Dish Network, pretty poor response. Lets just hope that of the 25-30,000 people without CBS, some of those are local businesses that may not decide to further their advertising with KXJB. I'm hoping something is figured out...
Posted by bornhere (anonymous) on January 10, 2009 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I echo everything that 4bluejay said. The only difference for me is that when I called DirecTV 1-800-531-5000 and demanded some sort of compensation. They gave me three free months of "Showtime Unlimited" which is 9 channels including Showtime channels, FLIX, The Movie Channel, and Sundance Channel. I suggest that everyone call and make the same demand. It's a good way to wake them up and see that they are giving away a lot of programming without charge because of this crap.
I removed my antennae because I have DirecTV and also because DTV starts in 5 weeks. KXJB really pulled a fast one us this time. My HDTV does not except a damn rabbit ear antennae signal Charlie Johnson, and I am not going to attach two tin cans with a string!
I hope advertisers in the Fargo viewing area will pull their advertising from KXJB. They have 30,000 less viewers now.
Posted by prowler (anonymous) on January 10, 2009 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I see a pattern developing here. First Charter viewers, and now DirecTV subscribers being held hostage by Hoak Media in their pursuit of the almighty dollar. Customers and viewers be damned, the only thing that counts to them is being able to gouge 'til it hurts. Dish Network customers beware, you're next. Guess Charlie and company don't generate enough revenue via commercial advertising.
Posted by bornhere (anonymous) on January 11, 2009 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Charlie and Co. does not deserve a dime from DirecTV or any other provider. DirecTV and cable give a much more clear image on the screen. The old antennas gave a fuzzy snow storm image. People are more likely to watch KXJB if has a clear sharp image. If not they will go to other stations. Therefore DirecTV adds more viewers and is adding value to KXJB and its advertising revenue.
Charlie should be paying THEM for the privilege of adding value to KXJB.
If anyone knows of area businesses which advertise on KXJB they should contact them to let them know they are displeased with what KXJB is doing.
Posted by hightag08 (anonymous) on January 11, 2009 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
IF I was going to go through the trouble to put up an antenna, I would point it toward KCCO in Alexandria. the tower is closer. It's nearly impossible for us to pick up KXJB from here. after The transmitter is in Galesburg, ND, which is a ways north of F-M.
Posted by BobWilliams (Bob Williams) on January 11, 2009 at 5:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
All you're missing is football today. And the antenna isn't going to help you a month from now when the analog signal is gone.
Posted by bornhere (anonymous) on January 11, 2009 at 10:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"All you're missing is football today"
Wrong Bob! I missed the CBS morning show, 60 Minutes, and the football game. Of course the antenna isn't going to help a month from now. It doesn't help even now because the signal is Too Weak. THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS 30,000 OF US HAVE DIRECT-TV SATELLITE. HELLO!!! You probably have cable right? Thousands of us have no access to a cable system like you do. You have very limited understanding of how people access television in rural areas and the cost of hardware, upgrades, and fees.
KXJB has cut off CBS to 30,000 people. Do you think that is fair?
Posted by hightag08 (anonymous) on January 12, 2009 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bob-
I would be using the Antenna (high gain UHF) to pick up KCCO's DIGITAL signal, which is HD. I don't care about the Analog. Chances are I would leave it up even after KXJB returns, because even though I have a ton of HD channels on DirecTV, they do not offer Fargo Locals in HD...
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)