Remember those free TV antennas Time Warner Cable was giving out during its retransmission dispute with WLUK last summer?
You can leave those in the closet.
A contract renewal spat recently made public -- and ugly -- between Fox Networks and Time Warner Cable won't threaten FOX's broadcast network shows like American Idol and NFL football games on WLUK. It also won't affect MyNetworkTV stations like WACY. Stacy Zaja, Director of Community & Media Relations for Time Warner Cable Wisconsin told us Friday evening that a lack of a contract renewal by January 1st would only threaten FOX broadcast programming in a handful of major markets, and not in Wisconsin. Fox is seeking a reported $1.00 per subscriber fee in those markets, while local FOX affiliates like WLUK typically receive about 25 cents a head.
The dispute, unresolved by New Year's Day, does threaten to black out Fox-owned cable networks including FX, Speed, Fox Soccer, Fuel TV and Fox Reality.
Fox Sports Wisconsin, Fox News Channel and Fox Business would not be affected, nor would National Geographic Channel in which Fox holds a 50 percent stake.
This is the first of a series of contract renewals facing Time Warner. Future renewals involve The Weather Channel and channels owned by Scripps Networks, including Food Network. The cable operator recently launched a national PR campaign asking customers their stance on negotiation disputes.
Fox Cities TV is an independent blog and member-driven community based in Green Bay, Wisconsin and serves the Northeast Wisconsin area, including Green Bay, Appleton, and Oshkosh. TV lovers can come here to learn about what's happening in local (and national) television, interact with other TV viewers and express their opinions.
Mark, I couldn't find the
Mark, I couldn't find the quote from the TWC spokesperson saying, "a lack of a contract renewal by January 1st would only threaten FOX broadcast programming in a handful of major markets" in either article. I couldn't find anything saying that FOX on WLUK or FSW won't be affected if there isn't an agreement reached, too. Maybe I'm going blind, lol, so if you could point me in the right direction.
Thanks
Don
The spokesperson I referenced
The spokesperson I referenced was Stacy Zaja, Director, Community & Media Relations at Time Warner Cable Wisconsin in Milwaukee. I meant to directly credit her on Friday but couldn't find her direct title. Changed the story accordingly.
Thanks for the info Mark.
Thanks for the info Mark.
This will not be the last for
This will not be the last for Murdoch, word has it that he wants to charge for his web site content starting with foxnews.com.
He will keep going to the well with all video providers as their contracts come due. I wonder if this greed on the part of programmers will push towards a more segmented packaging, not ala-carte since all of the programmers have shown they don't want it.