Tribune Broadcasting Company Blacks Out DISH Customers in 33 Markets;

[long_time_DNC]

Of course there was. long_time_DNC's request of Scott was sort of pointless. Even if Dish responded, it would just be a spin on top spin and as meaningless as the response from Tribune.

I don't see it as pointless...honestly. Scott has access to people and info that we don't. I don't think his contacts would throw a bunch of spin at him just to toss dirt on Tribune. That's why I posted my request. If I'm wrong, then I'm wrong, but I don't see the harm in at least asking...

 

[Tampa8]

Of course there was. long_time_DNC's request of Scott was sort of pointless. Even if Dish responded, it would just be a spin on top spin and as meaningless as the response from Tribune.

Just from a negotiations standpoint, they are well past the point where making short term accommodations is of any value. Better to stand their ground until a deal is struck (applies to both sides).

Nice point.

 

[Hall]

I don't see it as pointless...honestly

If his "source" said it wasn't true, who would you believe ?

 

[sam_gordon]

I don't think his contacts would throw a bunch of spin at him just to toss dirt on Tribune.

Why in the world wouldn't you think that? BOTH sides will "spin".

 

[long_time_DNC]

Why in the world wouldn't you think that? BOTH sides will "spin".

It is (granted, somewhat remotely, but nevertheless) possible that Scott's contacts might, just might, be willing to give him an answer that isn't just spin and blame game. I thought it might (just maybe) be worth it to ask. From all the flack I'm taking for posting a simple question, I'm beginning to wonder if it was even worth the effort to begin with...sheesh...

 

[Jasper70]

Article in "Variety" in 2015.

AT&T has set a carriage pact with Tribune Broadcasting that covers both of the telco giant’s MVPDs, DirecTV and U-verse.

Tribune had been up against at Sept. 30 contract expiration with U-verse for its 42 TV stations and WGN America. The sides went through at least three short-term extensions and some public drama about the potential for a blackout as they wrangled a new retransmission consent deal.


The Tribune pact underscores that AT&T intends to use the combined heft of DirecTV and U-verse’s subscriber base in negotiations with programmers. DirecTV has about 20.4 million subscribers in the U.S., making it second among MVPDs to Comcast, and about 5.9 million for U-verse.


The multi-year deal with Tribune expands carriage for WGN America by about 5 million subscribers — with expanded distribution on DirecTV adding more than 4 million subscribers and the rest coming from broader reach on the U-verse platform. Although the Sept. 30 contract deadline was only for U-verse’s carriage of Tribune stations, the new pact extends DirecTV’s retransmission pacts with Tribune that were to have expired next spring. The deal is believed to run for four years.

The additional subscribers puts WGN America over the 80 million households mark, which has been a goal for Tribune as it beefs up the entertainment cabler with original series.

The expanded distribution for WGN America will be in place by Jan. 1. DirecTV will also add East Coast and West Coast feeds of the channel, which will make it easier for viewers on the West Coast to find programs on the channel

 

[jegrant]

I have to admit it seems ridiculous to offer a time delayed feed of WGNA in this day and age of almost everyone having a DVR.

I noticed other posters said they were offered 3 months of Sling Blue (FOX) package. I was only offered one month and told that was all they could do. Then again, I did receive an antenna as well. I am seriously considering dropping Dish for Sling because I discovered I was watching it more than the Dish anyway.

 

[Chris Walker]

A west coast feed of WGN America I'm sure is on everyone's wishlist

 

[bobvick]

A west coast feed of WGN America I'm sure is on everyone's wishlist

Could be wrong, but I bet it'll be in SD too.

 

[Willh699]

The west coast feed on DirecTV and U-Verse would possibly be only be seen on the west coast setup anyway as in no one on the east coast will see it

 

[The Fat Man]

...The expanded distribution for WGN America will be in place by Jan. 1. DirecTV will also add East Coast and West Coast feeds of the channel, which will make it easier for viewers on the West Coast to find programs on the channel

That just makes me laugh. WGN America needs an East and West coast feed? AT&T can do what they want, but what does West Coast viewers need for a specific feed, for Pacific Time? To see reruns of How I Met Your Mother? Does either DirecTV or U-Verse have West Coast feeds of channels with actual original programming (more than two shows), such as TBS, TNT, USA, or FX? You know, the networks that are prime rivals to WGN America. Hell, even TV Land, which was created as an all day long version of Nick at Nite and was primarily focused on showing reruns, has more original programming than WGN America, and probably has only an East Coast feed.

They are trying to value WGN America to be way more worth than it is. I think Sunbeam takes there business model from Tribune. "What, our network has (will have, in WHDH's case, come January) a minimal library of must see, original programming? %$#@ it! We demand high penetration and $8.99 per sub!!!"

Hey Tribune, watch Field of Dreams!!! You need to build it, before expecting them to come!!!

 

[Blackhawks]

Interesting thing today, was able to get Cubs vs Dodgers on FS1 on DISH in Chicago. However game is on WGN TV9 too locally.

 

[Tampa8]

Interesting thing today, was able to get Cubs vs Dodgers on FS1 on DISH in Chicago. However game is on WGN TV9 too locally.

That does seem surprising. But... Fox does have the rights on Saturday for games maybe that trumped WGN this time?

 

[dare2be]

Sounds like WGN9 was the one who got the exception. Fox's Saturday exclusivity agreement reeks of anti-trust violations.

 

[Blackhawks]

Sounds like WGN9 was the one who got the exception. Fox's Saturday exclusivity agreement reeks of anti-trust violations.

In Chicago at BDubs where I was later, they had on WGN TV9 showing the game and one TV was out of sync with FS1 also showing game. Was very weird

 

[Spike]

I pulled up like a gimp horse about to cross the finish line yesterday, when I got wind that Dish Network and Fox's Channel 6 out of Milwaukee were in a dispute and the channel was pulled from Dish Network. Still, I was tempted to just follow through and sub to Dish anyway, and then I read that the head of Dish Network is fully prepared to never have Fox 6 up on their satellite(s) again. That sounded very ominous. Now, what to do....?

#HeadDesk

 

[MitchDeerfield]

If missing the channel would make a big difference to you, wait about two more months, I think it will be over by then.

 

[Tampa8]

I pulled up like a gimp horse about to cross the finish line yesterday, when I got wind that Dish Network and Fox's Channel 6 out of Milwaukee were in a dispute and the channel was pulled from Dish Network. Still, I was tempted to just follow through and sub to Dish anyway, and then I read that the head of Dish Network is fully prepared to never have Fox 6 up on their satellite(s) again. That sounded very ominous. Now, what to do....?

#HeadDesk

Seems like such a simple choice. It bothered you enough to post about it so don't get DISH and you will have that channel. Odds are heavy it will be back but there is no guarantee as to when.

 

[Spike]

Dish Network is calling me in less than an hour. They want to see if there isn't something that we can work out. I am looking forward to this, not from the point of leverage on my part, but, I truly want to hear what they have to say. The conversation should be interesting.

 

[dare2be]

Sales speak. Just walk away.