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Raycom-DirectTV carriage dispute

The Frog

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The Frog Managing Editor

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More than 50 local stations owned by Raycom Media went dark on DirecTV today after the two sides failed to reach a new carriage agreement. The companies also engaged in contentious negotiations three years ago before reaching a deal. Negotiations continue, Raycom said in a statement on its Web site.”This is frustrating for DIRECTV customers who rely on Raycom stations for information and entertainment,” Raycom Media CEO Paul McTear said. “We share their frustration and are committed to doing everything we can to resolve this issue and have been for the last 12 weeks of discussions.”

 

DirecTV is defending its position on a specially branded Web site, directvpromise.com, accusing Raycom of unreasonable price hike demands. “Raycom Media is denying DIRECTV customers and some of its own most loyal viewers access to its local broadcast stations unless they pay more than double just to receive the same broadcast shows that remain available over the air for free,” the company said. “We will always work to protect our customers and prevent them from enduring any unnecessary interruptions, no matter how brief.” DirecTV noted that its customers in the affected markers will be able to watch NFL and college games uninterrupted.

 

Raycom owns more than 50 stations – affiliates of all all broadcast networks in mid and small markets, including New Orleans, Charlotte, Savannah, Cincinnati and Memphis.

 

 

http://deadline.com/2014/09/directv-blackout-raycom-media-carriage-dispute-827574/

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Thundershock MN News Director

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More than 50 local stations owned by Raycom Media went dark on DirecTV today after the two sides failed to reach a new carriage agreement. The companies also engaged in contentious negotiations three years ago before reaching a deal. Negotiations continue, Raycom said in a statement on its Web site.”This is frustrating for DIRECTV customers who rely on Raycom stations for information and entertainment,” Raycom Media CEO Paul McTear said. “We share their frustration and are committed to doing everything we can to resolve this issue and have been for the last 12 weeks of discussions.”

 

 

 

DirecTV is defending its position on a specially branded Web site, directvpromise.com, accusing Raycom of unreasonable price hike demands. “Raycom Media is denying DIRECTV customers and some of its own most loyal viewers access to its local broadcast stations unless they pay more than double just to receive the same broadcast shows that remain available over the air for free,” the company said. “We will always work to protect our customers and prevent them from enduring any unnecessary interruptions, no matter how brief.” DirecTV noted that its customers in the affected markers will be able to watch NFL and college games uninterrupted.

 

 

 

Raycom owns more than 50 stations – affiliates of all all broadcast networks in mid and small markets, including New Orleans, Charlotte, Savannah, Cincinnati and Memphis.

http://deadline.com/2014/09/directv-blackout-raycom-media-carriage-dispute-827574/

 

Wow! That's a bit misleading. Quotes directly from Directvpromise.com

 

At the top of the page is this statement.

RAYCOM STATEMENT

Raycom Media is denying DIRECTV customers and some of its own most loyal viewers access to its local broadcast stations unless they pay more than double just to receive the same broadcast shows that remain available over the air for free. We will always work to protect our customers and prevent them from enduring any unnecessary interruptions, no matter how brief. We appreciate their patience since it has a direct impact on their bill. Despite Raycom’s unnecessary blackout, NFL and college football fans can see all of the first few week’s action uninterrupted, and the majority of ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC series won’t premiere for several more weeks.

That seems to imply that the viewer would have to do nothing but, down the page we get this....

 

With college and NFL seasons beginning, am I at risk of losing any big games?

No. All of the games remain available on free, over-the-air, digital broadcast television. The NFL season begins Thursday with NBC’s primetime telecast of the Green Bay Packers and defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, and NBC Sports streams all of its NFL games online too. Nearly every digital TV set has its own built-in turner to receive off-air signals, so all you need to do is turn off your DIRECTV receiver and tune your digital TV into the same channel position as your local Raycom station. It’s a small inconvenience, but your patience has a direct impact on your bill since you can help prevent Raycom from intentionally forcing you to miss a big game just to drive up your own bills in the future."

So, the games will still be available via OTA, obviously. And, DirecTV is directing viewers to watch the games via OTA. That's fine. I just question there use of the word "uninterrupted." That's playing it a bit fast and loose especially when the [insert Raycom Station here] feed via DirecTV is interrupted and won't return until an agreement is reached. All they have to do is re-word their statement to this: "NFL and college football remains available. So, fans can see all of the first few week’s action, despite Raycom’s unnecessary blackout."
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Mrtraveler01 Station Group CEO

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Wow! That's a bit misleading. Quotes directly from Directvpromise.com

 

At the top of the page is this statement.

 

That seems to imply that the viewer would have to do nothing but, down the page we get this....

 

So, the games will still be available via OTA, obviously. And, DirecTV is directing viewers to watch the games via OTA. That's fine. I just question there use of the word "uninterrupted." That's playing it a bit fast and loose especially when the [insert Raycom Station here] feed via DirecTV is interrupted and won't return until an agreement is reached. All they have to do is re-word their statement to this: "NFL and college football remains available. So, fans can see all of the first few week’s action, despite Raycom’s unnecessary blackout."

 

That is incredibly misleading. Doesn't make me side with Directv much.

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NEOMatrix Station Group CEO

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Directv's statement would be okay unless you lived in the Cleveland DMA. Unless you are super close to WOIO's transmitter then you will need cable or satellite to view CBS19. Heck, most of the DMA is better off trying to get an OTA signal from WKBN, WSEE, WTOL, or WBNS.

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tyrannical bastard Station Group CEO

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Thanks to the dispute between Raycom and DirecTV, Clevelanders could miss out on the Browns' season opener vs. the Steelers.

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20140902/BLOGS06/140909972/raycom-dispute-leaves-browns-steelers-game-up-in-the-air-for

 

Same can be said for WBNS, who is ALSO in dispute with DirecTV (through Dispatch). Columbus is a secondary market for the Browns and the Bengals, although since Pittsburgh is their arch-rival, I see Cleveland getting the upper hand. Same goes for Youngstown, which is right in the middle, but usually gravitates towards Cleveland (and is close enough to get blacked out).

 

Speaking of Youngstown, WKBN is probably the best hope for Northeast Ohioans who can't watch WOIO's over-the-air signal.

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Mrtraveler01 Station Group CEO

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Since WOIO/WUAB is the largest Raycom station by market size, there is a lot of sway with CBS and the Browns, especially given all of the hype with Johnny Football.

It's also Raycom's only market where they directly operate a station that carry's the network's NFL games.

 

Even though Raycom doesn't directly own WVUE, they do operate it so they're being impacted by this as well which means that there may be a lot of upset Saints fans on Sunday if this doesn't get resolved by then.

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Mrtraveler01 Station Group CEO

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Thanks to the dispute between Raycom and DirecTV, Clevelanders could miss out on the Browns' season opener vs. the Steelers.

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20140902/BLOGS06/140909972/raycom-dispute-leaves-browns-steelers-game-up-in-the-air-for

 

Same can be said for WBNS, who is ALSO in dispute with DirecTV (through Dispatch). Columbus is a secondary market for the Browns and the Bengals, although since Pittsburgh is their arch-rival, I see Cleveland getting the upper hand. Same goes for Youngstown, which is right in the middle, but usually gravitates towards Cleveland (and is close enough to get blacked out).

 

Speaking of Youngstown, WKBN is probably the best hope for Northeast Ohioans who can't watch WOIO's over-the-air signal.

 

 

Looks like WBNS is going to air the Cleveland/Pittsburgh game. Which makes sense because the only times they don't show that match up is if both the Browns and Steelers are out of playoff contention and the Bengals are playing a game with a ton of playoff implications.

 

http://506sports.com/

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Rusty Muck Station Group CEO

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Since WOIO/WUAB is the largest Raycom station by market size, there is a lot of sway with CBS and the Browns, especially given all of the hype with Johnny Football.

It's also Raycom's only market where they directly operate a station that carry's the network's NFL games.

Given the sorry history of the Browns since 1999, hype really is the only thing the Browns have got. Which is ironic because noted Mr. Hero spokesman Brian Hoyer is the starter, with Johnny Football® likely seeing a few reps.

 

Unless the team inexplicably engineers a win on Sunday against their alleged rival...

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NEOMatrix Station Group CEO

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Given the sorry history of the Browns since 1999, hype really is the only thing the Browns have got. Which is ironic because noted Mr. Hero spokesman Brian Hoyer is the starter, with Johnny Football® likely seeing a few reps.

 

Unless the team inexplicably engineers a win on Sunday against their alleged rival...

GO STEELERS!!!!! :)
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bammy9 Primary Anchor

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Thanks to the dispute between Raycom and DirecTV, Clevelanders could miss out on the Browns' season opener vs. the Steelers.

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20140902/BLOGS06/140909972/raycom-dispute-leaves-browns-steelers-game-up-in-the-air-for

 

They're not missing much.. It's just the Browns. And nobody likes the Browns.
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NEOMatrix Station Group CEO

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They're not missing much.. It's just the Browns. And nobody likes the Browns.

As much hate and derision as the Browns get on social media, Clevelanders are actually very loyal to the Browns and that's why suprisingly that the Browns have yet to blackout in Cleveland or Youngstown. With a "revamped" Browns team this year, a lot of eyes are going to be on Cleveland.
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Rusty Muck Station Group CEO

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As much hate and derision as the Browns get on social media, Clevelanders are actually very loyal to the Browns and that's why suprisingly that the Browns have yet to blackout in Cleveland or Youngstown. With a "revamped" Browns team this year, a lot of eyes are going to be on Cleveland.

They have come close to a few blackouts, with the host TV station usually bailing them out.

 

Bud Light, WJW and ESPN publicly bought up the remainder of unsold tickets to a 2009 Monday Night Football game, and before that, WKYC bought the remainder of unsold tickets for a preseason game that they were set to carry.

 

The Browns have had so many false starts throughout the past 15 years that even fans don't take kindly to the team.

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Mrtraveler01 Station Group CEO

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Well, that was quick!

 

Methinks that Tom Benson may have been the one who forced a settlement between the two parties.

 

And my utmost condolences to Browns fans.

 

I think you're right, Browns fans were better off having this game blacked out.

 

As far as Tom Benson, I wouldn't be too shocked if he did play a role in ending this blackout. WVUE was going to lose a chunk of viewers in what is probably their biggest cash cow. It was in their best interest to get something settled so Directv viewers could watch the Saints game (I knew a lot of relatives down in NOLA who were impacted by this).

 

Here is an article about the Times-Picayune talking about the settlement between Raycom and Directv: http://www.nola.com/tv/index.ssf/2014/09/wvues_saints-falcons_broadcast.html#incart_breaking

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skbl17 News Director

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Wow!! Just Wow!!! :rofl!:

 

I know, right? Today's game was quite the overtime thriller! It's nice to see that the Raycom/DirecTV dispute managed to end just in time to allow viewers to see the Saints beat the Falcons....oh wait.

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