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Few Retrans Battles for Satellite TV
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A Few Retrans Battles for Satellite TV
(Please note, this is a special holiday update from SkyREPORT. The regular news continues Monday, Jan. 5.)
Both small dish platforms couldn't escape year-end retransmission consent skirmishes, but the fights with broadcasters for carriage of their local channels were limited to only a few notable battles.
In Salt Lake City, DIRECTV got entangled in a retrans spat with KJZZ, known for its coverage of the Utah Jazz basketball franchise. In a statement, DIRECTV called the station's demands for carriage unreasonable.
"DIRECTV customers have access to the vast majority of Utah Jazz games on the (local) regional sports net. We're open to further discussions, but without an agreement, we have no legal right to carry the station as of Jan. 1," the satellite TV company said.
Meanwhile, DISH Network said it removed KTKA, the ABC affiliate in Topeka, Kan., from its lineup.
In a statement, DISH said the station's owner, Free State Communications, "is demanding unreasonable contract terms and an excessive rate increase for continued carriage … an increase that DISH Network is unwilling to pass on to customers. To protect customers from unreasonable rate increases and to ensure they pay only a fair amount every month, DISH Network draws the line at such excess and challenges strong-arm tactics."
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A Few Retrans Battles for Satellite TV
(Please note, this is a special holiday update from SkyREPORT. The regular news continues Monday, Jan. 5.)
Both small dish platforms couldn't escape year-end retransmission consent skirmishes, but the fights with broadcasters for carriage of their local channels were limited to only a few notable battles.
In Salt Lake City, DIRECTV got entangled in a retrans spat with KJZZ, known for its coverage of the Utah Jazz basketball franchise. In a statement, DIRECTV called the station's demands for carriage unreasonable.
"DIRECTV customers have access to the vast majority of Utah Jazz games on the (local) regional sports net. We're open to further discussions, but without an agreement, we have no legal right to carry the station as of Jan. 1," the satellite TV company said.
Meanwhile, DISH Network said it removed KTKA, the ABC affiliate in Topeka, Kan., from its lineup.
In a statement, DISH said the station's owner, Free State Communications, "is demanding unreasonable contract terms and an excessive rate increase for continued carriage … an increase that DISH Network is unwilling to pass on to customers. To protect customers from unreasonable rate increases and to ensure they pay only a fair amount every month, DISH Network draws the line at such excess and challenges strong-arm tactics."
