Tribune Broadcasting Company Blacks Out DISH Customers in 33 Markets;

[budda]

I'm not sure that that's still an option today.

About five years ago I had to have two dishs to get my locals. I was paying for locals without a choice. But the bird in the sky was not in LOS because of tree's. When I called and asked what could be done I was told that if my market did not have locals I would be allowed to received one of the two mentioned. But since it was (my issue) LOS. I could not be helped.

 

[Tampa8]

Budda, I don't have the time or inclination to give you the entire history of satellite "local into local" and distant network legislation and litigation, but none of your suppositions are true.

I'll give it a shot...
When locals went to spotbeam it was a by-product of, not the reason why, people could no longer get locals unless they fell into the spotbeam. One reason it's done is to make better use of the limited frequencies.
If your TV provider carries your locals - doesn't matter if you subscribe to get them or not - then you no longer can get Distants, only one set of locals can be provided and that is those for your Market.
That was the reason All American Direct was able to provide a separate set of locals (Distants) they did not provide locals in all Markets. Even then you had to qualify and be able to get your market locals via antenna.

The providers can not substitute an out of market local during a dispute, with very limited exceptions that rarely apply. If they could why would they ever let a network go dark?

DISH does not provide any set of Distants because of LOS or even to RV's and Truckers. For them DISH now just has them call in to tell DISH where they are and give them those locals.

 

[Kent4499]

I don't know if anyone has brought this up about local Tribune channels but most of them have an Android app you can download and watch their local news streaming live.

 

[Blackhawks]

WGN TV9 will cease being a CW Network Station on September 1, 2016 and go back to being Independent. This was announced prior to the carriage dispute with DISH.

They're doing this to focus more on carrying Sox, Cubs, Bulls, Blackhawks Games, News & Syndicated Shows. On occasion WGN TV9 must contract out games to WCIU or WPWR due to CW programming.

 

[dare2be]

WGN TV9 will cease being a CW Network Station on September 1, 2016 and go back to being Independent. This was announced prior to the carriage dispute with DISH.

They're doing this to focus more on carrying Sox, Cubs, Bulls, Blackhawks Games, News & Syndicated Shows. On occasion WGN TV9 must contract out games to WCIU or WPWR due to CW programming.

...and that may just be the stickler holding up an agreement here. Tribune is probably looking ahead to the point where they will be carrying more live sports and wants a carriage agreement to match their perceived future value, while Dish may just be looking at the current value the channel(s) hold and do not want to pay a premium for what amounts to a "futures" investment.

 

[Tampa8]

WGN (Channel 9) will have 35 regular season White Sox games and 40 regular season Cubs games, no playoff games.

It's WGN America that is definitely a sticking point.
"Tribune Media is also seeking more clearance for WGN America, the former superstation that has been converted into a full-fledged cable network, with original programming and no local news or sports. WGN America reaches 80 million homes across the U.S., up from 75 million four years ago.

In its release, Dish cited the elimination of Cubs baseball broadcasts as affecting viewership for WGN America, which it said was down 20 percent since relaunching as a cable network. Dish also said many of the shows on WGN America were available on other channels carried by the satellite provider."

"Consumers shouldn't have to pay twice for the same programming," Schlichting said.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-tribune-dish-blackout-0614-biz-20160613-story.html

It seems possible to me the locals channels are being held hostage because they are bundled with WGN America and that dispute keeps the contract from being agreed to. It may not be quite that simple but it explains locals being off longer than the usual time period. (So two things DISH objecting to the asking price and objecting to it being bundled with locals)

 

[The Fat Man]

To provide a quick anicdote, Dish is right in my case. I stopped watching WGN America because they dropped the Cubs and White Sox games.

Although I was somewhat blasted for saying this before, I'm going to say it again. One or three original series and a boat load of reruns and infomercials does not make a quality network.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

I am in a hotel in New Jersey and looks like they have DISH service as when you try turning to WPIX you see the video telling that Tribune removed the channel.

 

[Chris Walker]

To provide a quick anicdote, Dish is right in my case. I stopped watching WGN America because they dropped the Cubs and White Sox games.

Although I was somewhat blasted for saying this before, I'm going to say it again. One or three original series and a boat load of reruns and infomercials does not make a quality network.

WGN definitely wouldn't be missed if it was dropped. That may be what is holding a deal is up is Tribune won't re-up without Dish taking WGN

 

[jegrant]

For those who want to see the "WGN Chicago" games, they are syndicated to other (non-Tribune in some markets) local affiliates outside of Chicago. Unfortunately, they are not syndicated nationwide, just in a handful of markets in the Midwest, but it may be better than nothing. (I'm inclined to agree, BTW, WGN America would be worth more to Dish and its customers if it still carried Chicago news and sports.)

Cubs schedule:
http://wgntvsales.com/Sports/Cubs_Schedule.pdf

White Sox:
http://wgntvsales.com/Sports/White_Sox_Schedule.pdf

See page 2 of each PDF for the list of local affiliates.

 

[Blackhawks]

Thats not even 1/3 of the games tho?....WLS TV7 carries them so does CCSN Chicago....

WLS carries approximately 25 Cubs Games.

 

[Blackhawks]

WGN (Channel 9) will have 35 regular season White Sox games and 40 regular season Cubs games, no playoff games.

It's WGN America that is definitely a sticking point.
"Tribune Media is also seeking more clearance for WGN America, the former superstation that has been converted into a full-fledged cable network, with original programming and no local news or sports. WGN America reaches 80 million homes across the U.S., up from 75 million four years ago.

In its release, Dish cited the elimination of Cubs baseball broadcasts as affecting viewership for WGN America, which it said was down 20 percent since relaunching as a cable network. Dish also said many of the shows on WGN America were available on other channels carried by the satellite provider."

"Consumers shouldn't have to pay twice for the same programming," Schlichting said.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-tribune-dish-blackout-0614-biz-20160613-story.html

It seems possible to me the locals channels are being held hostage because they are bundled with WGN America and that dispute keeps the contract from being agreed to. It may not be quite that simple but it explains locals being off longer than the usual time period. (So two things DISH objecting to the asking price and objecting to it being bundled with locals)

Ever since WGN America ceased broadcasting Cubs, Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks Games it sucks

 

[Darin1234]

Ever since WGN America ceased broadcasting Cubs, Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks Games it sucks

Yep. I imagine not too many are missing it on dish. I will say that they do air In the Heat of the Night and Walker Texas Ranger which can be pretty good sometimes. They're unique at least. Most other programming, not so much

 

[niceguypmp3]

I don't know how many cities have lost NBC as a result of the dispute, but I imagine that America's Got Talent will notice the drop in votes because of so many less viewers! As far as I know, there's no way to watch it live unless if watched when showing on NBC. I dont think they allow it to be watched online until at least the next day. I've definately gotta look into an OTA antenna, sigh...

 

[Bruce]

I don't know how many cities have lost NBC as a result of the dispute, but I imagine that America's Got Talent will notice the drop in votes because of so many less viewers! As far as I know, there's no way to watch it live unless if watched when showing on NBC. I dont think they allow it to be watched online until at least the next day. I've definately gotta look into an OTA antenna, sigh...

They lost Oklahoma City and Des Moines, not even a blip in the national rating's numbers.

 

[Blackhawks]

List of Tribune Broadcasting owned stations

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribune_Broadcasting

 

[Blackhawks]

Now maybe DISH will negotiate or continue to negotiate

http://www.thegazette.com/subject/n...t-new-rules-on-retransmission-fights-20160714

 

[dare2be]

It's telling that the NAB praised the "no new rules" decision. It would diminish broadcast network hostage negotiations leverage and ransom demands.

 

[kenny9966]

It's telling that the NAB praised the "no new rules" decision. It would diminish broadcast network hostage negotiations leverage and ransom demands.

This is NOT a good sign....I see crawls for every other TV provider every 3 months from diff stations and its ridiculous. The FCC was made to be FOR the people, NOT to be in bed with the NAB for more $$. Tom Wheeler should be fired. “it is clear that more rules in this area are not what we need at this point.”-FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler

 

[dare2be]

New rules does not necessarily mean "more rules", as Wheeler puts it. I just means different, better rules.