A Few Retrans Battles for Satellite TV

[evd]

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."

[templetonstoy]

Originally Posted by evd

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."

ROTFLMAO...there isn't a person on the planet that believes that statement. They have mastered the art of excessive rate increases and strong-arm tactics.

[greenweed]

yah they can keep it I'm paying to much already more more more give me give me give me yes there is a line that needs to be drawn!! at this time and date higher prices will mean more subs turned off!! people are getting very mixed up with the things that are going on with the economy NOW is not the right time to be jumping your prices!! this type of brute force crap is what is hurting us now!!