First on the docket, we'll stay local, with LOCAL12 WKRC-TV/DT's problem with Liberty Communications, then we'll jump a bit to the national scene, where Time Warner Cable is going to be laying off a LOT of people...
LOCAL12 Not On Liberty: And no, we're not talking about the street name in Cincinnati itself.
Recently, the station, which also programs Local 12.2 The CW Cincinnati, had been in negotiations with Liberty Communications, which is in Northern Kentucky. (It's a small system, and is not one we've ever heard of.)
In any case, those negotiations were not successful, and last week, Local12 and CW Cincinnati were both yanked from the Liberty Communications lineup...and with only a few weeks before March Madness, if the University of Kentucky, UC, or Xavier University make the tournament, there will be a few thousand ticked off fans, no doubt.
Here's a statement straight off Local12.com:
Local 12 WKRC-TV and Local 12.2, The CW Cincinnati No Longer Available to Liberty Communications Customers in Cincinnati viewing area.
Cincinnati, OH, February 1, 2009 - Local 12 WKRC-TV and Local 12.2, The CW Cincinnati, television stations serving the Cincinnati viewing area announced today their current contract with Liberty Communications has expired. Local 12 and Local 12.2 attempts to reach a new multi-year agreement with Liberty Communications for both their broadcast signals have been unsuccessful.
Under the guidelines of Federal regulations, local broadcasters, such as Local 12 WKRC-TV and Local 12.2, The CW Cincinnati may negotiate with all cable companies to allow for the re-transmission of their broadcast signals. Local 12 WKRC-TV and Local 12.2, The CW Cincinnati only want what we believe to be fair compensation for the quality programming we distribute and that Liberty Communications re-sells to its customers. Local 12 WKRC-TV and Local 12.2, The CW Cincinnati have completed successful negotiations with all of the Satellite and Telecommunications providers and virtually all of the cable operators in the Cincinnati viewing area.
Viewers will not be able to watch Local 12 WKRC-TV and Local 12.2, The CW Cincinnati. You will not be able to watch CBS Network programming including such hits as CSI, Survivor and NCAA March Madness. Also, our number one rated Local 12 News and all the popular CW programming like America’s Next Top Model and Gossip Girl will not be available. Local 12 WKRC-TV and Local 12.2, The CW Cincinnati are aware of the issue and working to resolve it with Liberty Communications. If you subscribe to Liberty Communications and lose Local 12 WKRC-TV and Local 12.2, The CW Cincinnati call Liberty Communications and let them know you want them to carry our signal.
Viewers can receive Local 12 WKRC-TV and Local 12.2, The CW Cincinnati through alternate means, including free over the air with an antenna, or switching to a satellite or telecommunications service, such as Dish Network, DirecTV, Verizon Fios or AT&T U-Verse.
If you wish to once again view Local 12 WKRC-TV and Local 12.2, The CW Cincinnati on Liberty Communications, please express your views to Liberty Communications at (859) 393-8995.
Time Warner Layoffs: Announced late this afternoon, Time Warner Cable will lay off 1,250 people over the next few weeks.
It's unclear how this will affect TWC-Cincy or Dayton operations...but what we can tell you, is that it's going to be company-wide.
Details as we get them...and maybe one of our readers who works at TWC can fill us in anonymously on what's happening.
Switching to Wordpress
11 years ago
5 comments:
is it fair to dump in one side's press release without hearing from the other side?
what does liberty have to say about it? i'm sure they have a different perspective.
In response to the 1st comment posted here, just try to find anything on-line for Liberty Communications, Inc. of Sparta KY (which I believe is the cable company in question). They evidently have no website that I can find; even locating their physical address is rather difficult. Assuming the search results from www.manta.com are accurate, this company has TWO employees in a single location. (But having said that, I too would like to hear their side in this dispute. WKRC has run plenty of on-screen crawls beating on Liberty and asking viewers to complain to them about this issue!)
Correct. We attempted to locate a presser from Liberty, but that cable provider's website is...well, non-existent.
We happen to believe that that provider's phone number COULD actually lead to a cellular phone. If Emery is correct, and they only have two employees...then you have a real small-time operation which has NO PR to speak of whatsoever.
all the more reason to give them a fair shake; if two sides aren't available, filter. why let 'KRC take them to town for free? it may very well be that 12 is playing neighborhood bully.
i guess all i'm saying is that we have to be careful relying on other websites, blogs and especially press releases for news.
just speaking as a former journalist.
I do understand where you're coming from. And certainly, there's the possibility WKRC may be the neighborhood bully here. BUT...once again, if we had both sides of the story, we would present both. We do not as of this time. If we get the other side, we'll gladly post it.
Post a Comment