Channels 4, 23 pulled from cable provider: Time Warner, LIN continue ...

Tag : cable

Robin Wolfgang, Time Warner spokesman, said LIN "refused to letTime Warner transmit the stations" after its current deal expired.
"We will continue to negotiate," said Wolfgang. "At this point LINwouldn't grant us a 24-hour extension."
Time Warner immediately replaced CBS programming normally carriedon Channel 4 with programming from the CBS College Sports Networkand put HBO Family on Channel 23, the local CW affiliate.
The issue is over money. LIN TV, which owns the local CBS and CWaffiliates, wants to be compensated by Time Warner for allowing itto carry the stations.
Weeks ago, a LIN release stated that the television group -- whichhas 15 of its stations in Time Warner markets -- has reachedagreements with every other cable, satellite or telecommunicationscompany to carry its stations.
Time Warner believes it shouldn't pay for channels that areavailable over the air for free. Weeks ago, Time Warner noted thatthe cable system has "successfully reached fair agreements withhundreds of broadcasters and cable networks across the country inrecent years and are confident we will with LIN TV, too." The issueis being handled by the corporate offices of both companies, not inWestern New York, and affects all LIN stations and Time Warnersystems.
Channel 4, the local CBS affiliate, has been repeatedly carryingexplanations of the issue that ask cable subscribers not to allowTime Warner to deprive viewers of the popular programming on thestations. Channel 4 carries some of the area's highest-ratedprograms and most Buffalo Bills games.
However, Time Warner's Wolfgang said it was LIN's decision whetherto pull the stations.
A local television executive, who requested anonymity, believesWolfgang's position on which company would make the call isaccurate.
"Once an agreement is no longer in place, it would be the decisionof the seller [LIN], not the buyer [Time Warner]," the executivesaid.
The executive added: "In every one of these negotiations, a dealhas been struck. It never lasts longer than a few days. There istoo much at stake on both sides."
Both sides stand to lose substantially -- locally and nationally --if a deal isn't reached quickly.
Channel 4 could lose a substantial amount of viewers for its No. 1newscasts, CBS' popular prime time schedule and the Bills gameSunday in Arizona and that would translate into lost advertisingdollars.
Time Warner could lose subscribers to satellite television andother competitors that carry the two LIN channels.
Of course, local viewers also can get the Bills game and CBS and CWprogramming with an indoor or outdoor antenna.
The negotiations are being closely watched by the owners of Channel2 and Channel 7, which eventually will deal with the same issues.Sinclair Broadcasting, the owner of Channel 29 and Channel 49, madea deal in January of 2007 that is believed to have resulted in TimeWarner agreeing to buy advertising on the stations.
apergament@buffnews.com
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