NAB has been pointing out that the vast majority of retransmission disputes involving blackouts involve just three MVPDs, one of them being Time Warner Cable. It’s headed for another, involving four Meredith stations in three DMAs.
The stations are CBS KCTV and MNTV KSMO in Kansas City, CBS WSHM in Springfield MA, and NBC WSMV in Nashville.
The current contract expires 7/25/12.
In a letter to its viewers, KCTV stated, “Please know that we have tried very hard to reach an agreement with Time Warner Cable, so that our viewers would not have to miss any of our stations’ around-the-clock reporting of news, politics, traffic, weather emergencies, public service announcements, and favorite local and national programming. If Time Warner Cable removes our signal you will miss CBS programs like the Kansas City Chiefs and other NFL games, CSI Miami, the Mentalist, 2 ½ Men, Big Bang Theory and 60 Minutes.”
It continued, “We are disappointed in the outcome of our negotiations especially since we have successfully reached agreements with every major cable and satellite company that recognizes our fair market value. The fact is that we are only asking Time Warner Cable for pennies a day from your cable bill for our programming. Without fair and equitable treatment, local TV stations will not be able to continue to provide top quality news, sports, entertainment, and other local programming that is most important to you.”
The station asked viewers to contact TWC and urge resolution of the conflict. It also reminded viewers that the station is available off air, or on Dish or DirecTV.
