The Frog 393 Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 CBS's and Warner Bros.' interest in streaming the CW as a pay OTT service is being spurred by their inability to renew an affiliation agreement with Tribune Broadcasting, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. The primary sticking point is money, the sources say. Tribune has always paid reverse comp, but is balking at the network's demands for more. In recent years, Tribune's CW stations have begun receiving retransmission consent payments from MVPDs, but the revenue is said to be a fraction of what Big 4 affiliates receive. Money is not the only problem, the sources add. Tribune is insisting on digital rights to the CW programming within its market, the sources say. To do what is not clear. And it is demanding another long-term deal. Both are non-starters for CBS and Warner Bros., the sources say. Frustrating the CW partners is that other major groups with affiliates, including Sinclair, have reupped with little trouble, the sources say. The CW would offer its programs as part of a linear channel as well as individually on demand for a modest monthly fee — perhaps $2 or $4. CBS All Access, an OTT service comprising the local CBS O&O or affiliate as well as on-demand CBS shows, goes for $5.99 a month. If CBS and Warner Bros. go the OTT route, they would not pull the plug on the broadcast network, the Bloomberg story says. Rather, it would be simulcast on the OTT platform, somehow compensating broadcast affiliates for the loss of the linear exclusivity. The sources say the CW has other options for moving forward without Tribune. Among other things, it could seek out other broadcast affiliates in the 13 Tribune markets. Or, in the half dozen Tribune markets where CBS has an O&O, including the top three markets, it could put the network on a subchannel of the O&O. Finding other major-market affiliates could get tougher. The FCC incentive auction this spring, in which it will buy TV spectrum to sell to wireless carriers, is expected to winnow the ranks of stations, particularly in the major markets. Tribune itself indicated that it is interested in selling at least some of its stations. It argued for auction rules that would maximize the value of stations in the auction. Tribune has options, too. If it doesn't sell its CW affiliates in the auction, it could produce or acquire other programming to replace CW. http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/91468/tribune-impasse-is-behind-cw-ott-option Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darius22 120 Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 Oh no! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRolyPoly 1847 Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 If that's the case, then say goodbye to The CW on WSFL 39 and hello to The CW on WBFS 33. Because I know that CBS will try to move The CW to WBFS 33 here and get away from MyTV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyNewsOpens 83 Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 I was gonna say that WTTV would be affected, but then I remembered that The CW is now on MG-owned WISH-TV 8. Still though, a big story indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRolyPoly 1847 Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 I was gonna say that WTTV would be affected, but then I remembered that The CW is now on MG-owned WISH-TV 8. Still though, a big story indeed. You know who's really gonna get hurt by all of this? CW stations with local news departments (WPIX, KTLA, WGN, WISH, WCCB, XETV, KDAF, KIAH, etc.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mardek1995 200 Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 You know who's really gonna get hurt by all of this? CW stations with local news departments (WPIX, KTLA, WGN, WISH, WCCB, XETV, KDAF, KIAH, etc.)So why doesn't Tribune buy a 25% ownership stake from Time Warner? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TVLurker 161 Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 So why doesn't Tribune buy a 25% ownership stake from Time Warner? They had the chance back in 2006, didn't take it. They could do so but they'd undermine their own original programming efforts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
News 9 Viewer 100 Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 You know who's really gonna get hurt by all of this? CW stations with local news departments (WPIX, KTLA, WGN, WISH, WCCB, XETV, KDAF, KIAH, etc.) Calling what KDAF and KIAH air at 9 PM "news" is a bit of a stretch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
channel2 869 Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Is Time Warner willing to sell? That's the question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fan of la tv 47 Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 You know who's really gonna get hurt by all of this? CW stations with local news departments (WPIX, KTLA, WGN, WISH, WCCB, XETV, KDAF, KIAH, etc.) Some of the stronger stations such as KTLA and WGN will probably benefit if the CW is lost. I know on KTLA the CW programs are very low-rated and often the station comes in last place. Its lower-rated than many other dayparts. People tune in after the CW primetime to watch the news at 10, often surging by more than 50%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelson R. 560 Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 You know who's really gonna get hurt by all of this? CW stations with local news departments (WPIX, KTLA, WGN, WISH, WCCB, XETV, KDAF, KIAH, etc.) Believe WCCB's CW contract doesn't end til 2017-2018, they're not Tribune anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevieboy247 42 Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 If that's the case, then say goodbye to The CW on WSFL 39 and hello to The CW on WBFS 33. Because I know that CBS will try to move The CW to WBFS 33 here and get away from MyTV. In L.A., I'm sure CBS would do the same thing with KCAL should KTLA lose the affiliation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detroiter313 178 Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 In L.A., I'm sure CBS would do the same thing with KCAL should KTLA lose the affiliation. Same way with KTXA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mardek1995 200 Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Same way with KTXA. And WLNY, WSBK, and WBFS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTSC1980 96 Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 And for some market like St.Louis that have CW-affiliated Tribune station CW may go to subchannel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrannical bastard 3464 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Chicago could be interesting....given that WBBM does not have a duopoly counterpart. If they were dead-set against putting the CW on their .2, they would have to either buy WPWR or affiliate with (or buy) WCIU. I wonder if Weigel would sell out and use the proceeds for their growing diginet business.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mardek1995 200 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Chicago could be interesting....given that WBBM does not have a duopoly counterpart. If they were dead-set against putting the CW on their .2, they would have to either buy WPWR or affiliate with (or buy) WCIU. I wonder if Weigel would sell out and use the proceeds for their growing diginet business.... But doesn't WCIU have diginets of its own from Wiegel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvcg66b3r 97 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Chicago could be interesting....given that WBBM does not have a duopoly counterpart. If they were dead-set against putting the CW on their .2, they would have to either buy WPWR or affiliate with (or buy) WCIU. I wonder if Weigel would sell out and use the proceeds for their growing diginet business.... WPWR won't sell (Tribune tried to buy them in exchange for FOX getting KCPQ). Perhaps WJYS could be in play (if they don't sell out in the spectrum auction)? It would be WLNY all over again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRolyPoly 1847 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Chicago could be interesting....given that WBBM does not have a duopoly counterpart. If they were dead-set against putting the CW on their .2, they would have to either buy WPWR or affiliate with (or buy) WCIU. I wonder if Weigel would sell out and use the proceeds for their growing diginet business.... WCIU has two Independents under one channel... 26.1/WCIU - The U and 26.2/The U Too. If WCIU was bought by WBBM, any one of those subchannels would fit perfectly with The CW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WFTV Channel 9 80 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 The CW will be hurt more than anything. A lot of those stations can be just as successful as independent stations. It would be interesting if KCAL 9 becomes a CW station should CBS strip it away from KTLA. They've been an independent station since ditching DuMont back in 1956. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tw-804 190 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 What about WGNT in Hampton Roads? It was a UPN/CW O&O and I think is one of the top UPN/CW stations in the country, so where will the CW affiliation go? WSKY? WTVZ? Or a subchannel of WVBT or WAVY? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mardek1995 200 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 What about WGNT in Hampton Roads? It was a UPN/CW O&O and I think is one of the top UPN/CW stations in the country, so where will the CW affiliation go? WSKY? WTVZ? Or a subchannel of WVBT or WAVY? Probably WSKY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darius22 120 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Will this affect KMAX? or no? i know its a CBS O&O Station By KOVR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mardek1995 200 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Will this affect KMAX? or no? i know its a CBS O&O Station By KOVR. No it won't, nor will it affect KBCW, and besides, Tribune already owns KTXL there. But what about WDCW? What station in DC will the CW move to if Tribune doesn't renew the CW affiliation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Muck 4167 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Is Time Warner willing to sell? That's the question. Yes, TimeWarner is willing to sell. But the buyer might not be who you think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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