Channel Providers

Channel Providers

Written by Amy Stansbury Thursday, 07 February 2008

Negotiation stalled between Suddenlink and owner of KXAN

For nearly three days, Suddenlink Communications cable TV customers in Pflugerville, Georgetown and Leander trying to watch their local NBC station, KXAN, saw a blue screen with a statement from their cable company saying it failed to reach a contract agreement with LIN TV, KXAN’s parent company, by the end of the year. Suddenlink was required by LIN TV to drop the feed for KXAN Jan. 1.

By late in the day Jan. 3, NBC was available again on channel four – but not via Austin affiliate KXAN. Suddenlink announced that afternoon it signed a long-term contract with Temple NBC affiliate KCEN. Suddenlink said it was hearing from customers that they wanted to see their regular TV shows on NBC, and KCEN was an immediate solution.

When asked if KXAN will be back on the air through its cable services, Suddenlink said LIN TV has declined all proposals to date.

 

“We are delighted to speak with LIN TV but that’s up to them,” said Suddenlink Communications Vice President of Community Relations Pete Abel.

KXAN President and General Manager Eric Lassberg said they are very disappointed that Suddenlink chose to go with an NBC affiliate that delivers Waco news to Austin-area residents.

“Suddenlink has said that their customers just want NBC programming, but we don’t think that’s accurate. Many people have e-mailed us and called us, saying they want to see Stephanie Serna’s reporting on Williamson County and Jim Spencers’ weather report. [Waco news] is not what they want. Everyone was surprised by it,” Lassberg said.

LIN TV issued a press release Dec. 31 stating that it has successfully reached agreements with other subscription-based television services for “fair market value of LIN TV’s stations,” but an agreement had not yet been reached with Suddenlink.

“The price LIN TV is asking from KXAN is half of any top 40 cable network,” Lassberg said. “For example, we’re asking for one-tenth of the price Suddenlink pays TNT on a per viewer basis to air their network.”

As part of Suddenlink’s cable TV package, customers are charged a monthly fee for local stations, which through cable have a stronger feed and a clearer picture. LIN TV is negotiating for a portion of the money Suddenlink makes for the cable broadcast of KXAN.

Suddenlink says it did “everything in its power to prevent this from happening,” and that LIN TV has declined repeated offers and the request for an extension, forcing Suddenlink to remove KXAN from the broadcasting line up under penalty of law and against their will.

Suddenlink offices are located at 201 E. Walter Ave. in Pflugerville, 111 N. College St. in Georgetown and 409 Crystal Falls Parkway in Leander.

In January, LIN TV and DISH Network announced a special offer for viewers in LIN TV’s markets where a station like KXAN is currently unavailable. New DISH Network subscribers in this area will receive a $50 prepaid MasterCard via mail.

Suddenlink and KXAN have both said that the negotiation process is currently stalled, but indicate they are open to continue the discussion. However, it is not clear what it will take for this to happen.

More information is available on KXAN’s Web site, www.kxan.com. Suddenlink is also providing updates on its contract negotiations with LIN TV via a blog at www.suddenlink.wordpress.com.

KCEN is the NBC affiliate for Waco, Killeen and Temple. It is owned by the family of the late Frank W. Mayborn, publishers of the Temple Daily Telegram.

KCEN Coverage

Digital transition - The end of analog TV

Federal law will require by Feb. 17, 2009 that all full-power television broadcast stations broadcast in digital format only and not in analog format.

The law was mandated by the U.S. Congress to free analog frequencies for public safety communications, such as police, fire and emergency rescue, as well as open frequencies for commercial wireless services. It is considered a more efficient transmission technology.

Viewers with cable/satellite

Viewers should contact the cable/satellite provider for details. It is not expected to have much effect.

Viewers with no cable/satellite

The type of TV a viewer uses is important. Purchase a built-in digital tuner or a digital-ready monitor with a separate digital tuner set-top box, along with a regular antenna for the roof or TV.

If a viewer owns an analog TV, purchase a digital-to-analog set-top converter box to attach to the TV.

Starting Jan. 1 and until March 31, 2009, U.S. households can request up to two coupons to purchase digital-to-analog converter boxes. TVs purchased after May 25, 2007 should contain a digital tuner or have labeling that says they do not.

Source: Federal Communications Commission, www.fcc.gov and Time Warner Cable

Local extended channel providers

Typically, traditional cable providers, such as Suddenlink and Time Warner Cable do not cross markets, according to Roger Heaney, a Time Warner spokesperson. That is because the cost of installing parallel cables rarely balances with the customer-base expansion. Each provider of cable and satellite channels presents their offerings differently and prices regularly change.

Time Warner Cable

• Cost for installation: Varies
• Range in monthly fees: $19.95-$63.30
• Set-up time: Two to five days
• Amount of channels: 300+
• High-definition: 47+ channels, extra movie channels with HD-VOD
• Other: Provides service through cable. Not available in Pflugerville.
• Contact: www.timewarnercable.com

Suddenlink

• Cost for installation: Varies
• Range in monthly fees: $18.99 +
• Set-up time: One to two days
• Amount of channels: 300+
• High-definition: 21 channels
• Other: Provides service through cable. Not available in Round Rock.
• Contact: www.suddenlink.com, 1-888-822-5151

AT&T U-Verse

• Cost for installation: Free (temporary)
• Range in monthly fees: $44-$99, Set-up time: One to two weeks (varies)
• Amount of channels: 330 +
• High-definition: 38 channels
• Other: Provides service through cable. Limited on a house-by-house basis. Visit the Web site to learn if a home qualifies.
• Contact: www.att.com, 733-8992

Dish Network

• Cost for installation: $49.99 (returned with first bill)
• Range in monthly fees: $29.99-$89.99
• Set-up time: Two to three days
• Amount of channels: 300+
• High-definition: 75 channels
• Other: Provides service through satellite.
• Contact: www.dishnetwork.com, 1-888-DISH-950