MetroCast Retransmission

 

Retransmission Consent

The Communications Act requires that a television station give its consent to a cable system or other multichannel video programming distributor to carry its broadcast signal. This process, which typically occurs every three years, is called "Retransmission Consent."

Television stations and cable systems, as well as satellite carriers, negotiate for this "retransmission consent," usually on a fee per subscriber basis. If the parties do not reach an agreement, then the cable system or other MVPD must stop offering the stations to their subscribers.

Higher Fees in 2012

Most agreements with local broadcasters expired at the end of 2011 and had to be re-negotiated by year's end. This year, local broadcast stations are demanding much higher fees for the right to retransmit their signals. In fact, some broadcasters have publicly stated that they project their retransmission revenues from video subscribers to more than double over current levels.

As a result, the cost increases for broadcast stations will be substantial and will impact significantly the prices customers will pay in 2012 for video services in every region of the country, regardless of whether the customer receives video service from cable, telephone or satellite companies.

Loss of Stations

As a further consequence of Retransmission Consent, MetroCast may no longer be able to carry certain "out-of-market" broadcast stations. However, as these stations typically carry the same network programming already carried on local, "in-market" broadcast stations, MetroCast customers will continue to receive all major network programming.  Further updates will be posted to this site (see below) as negotiations continue with local broadcast stations.

MetroCast and Retransmission Consent

MetroCast worked in good faith to negotiate agreements that are fair to broadcasters and to our customers alike. While broadcast affiliates demand that these agreements be negotiated confidentially, we proposed rates that we believe represent the fair market value of the broadcast stations in each of our markets while being sensitive to the impact on consumer costs. 

 

In addition, through its association with the American Cable Association (ACA) and the American Television Alliance, MetroCast is pressing the FCC for changes in Retransmission Consent laws and regulations. ACA, for example, has presented the FCC with multiple filings to demonstrate how the current marketplace harms both independent cable operators as well as consumers.  ACA and its members, including representatives from MetroCast, also regularly brief FCC Commissioners and their staff, as well as Members of Congress, to encourage prompt resolution of these issues in ways that are fair to all parties.

 

Update

Notice to MetroCast-New Hampshire Customers

As a result of Retransmission Consent negotiations with local broadcast stations, MetroCast no longer will be able to provide the following broadcast stations after January 31, 2012:

WMTW-8 (ABC-Portland): Customers may continue to view ABC programming on WMUR-9 (ABC-Manchester).   For local Portland news coverage, customers may tune to WCSH-6 (NBC-Portland)

WNEU-60 (Telemundo)

Also, please be advised that NBC Universal Sports no longer will be offered by NBC broadcast affiliates as a multicast channel and therefore no longer will be available to MetroCast customers after December 31, 2011.

 

 

Notice to MetroCast-Maine Customers

As a result of Retransmission Consent negotiations with local broadcast stations, MetroCast no longer will be able to provide the following broadcast stations after January 31, 2012:

WCVB-5 (ABC-Boston): Customers may continue to view ABC programming on WMTW-8 (ABC-Portland). For local Boston news coverage, customers may tune to WBZ-4 (CBS-Boston) and WHDH-7 (NBC-Boston).

 

 

Notice to MetroCast-CT Customers

As a result of Retransmission Consent negotiations with local broadcast stations, MetroCast no longer will be able to provide the following broadcast stations after the dates indicated below:

December 31, 2011:

WPRI-12 (CBS-Providence):  Customers may continue to view CBS programming on WFSB-3 (CBS-Hartford). For local Providence news coverage, customers may tune to WJAR-10 (NBC-Providence).

February 28, 2012:
WLNE-6 (ABC-Providence):Customers may continue to view ABC programming on WTNH-8 (ABC-New Haven). For local Providence news coverage, customers may tune to WJAR-10 (NBC-Providence).

 

 

 

Notice to MetroCast-PA Customers in Schuylkill

As a result of Retransmission Consent negotiations with local broadcast stations, MetroCast no longer will be able to provide the following broadcast stations after February 28, 2012:

WLYH-15 (CW-Lancaster): Customers may continue to view CW programming on WPIX-11 (CW-New York), which can be found on MetroCast channel 13.

 

 

Notice to MetroCast-MD Customers in St. Mary’s County

As a result of Retransmission Consent negotiations with local broadcast stations, MetroCast no longer will be able to provide the following broadcast stations after January 31, 2012:

WBAL-11 (NBC-Baltimore): Customers may continue to view NBC programming on WRC-4 (NBC, Washington, DC). For local Baltimore news coverage, customers may tune to WMAR-2 (ABC-Baltimore) and WJZ-13 (CBS-Baltimore).

 

 

 

Notice to MetroCast-VA Customers in

King George and Colonial Beach

As a result of Retransmission Consent negotiations with local broadcast stations, MetroCast no longer will be able to provide the following broadcast stations after December 31, 2011:

WTVR-6 (CBS-Richmond): Customers may continue to view CBS programming on WUSA-9 (CBS-Washington, DC). For local Richmond news coverage, customers may tune to WWBT-12 (NBC-Richmond).

 

 

 

Notice to MetroCast-VA Customers in Saluda

As a result of Retransmission Consent negotiations with local broadcast stations, MetroCast no longer will be able to provide the following broadcast stations after December 31, 2011:

WTKR- 3 (CBS-Norfolk): Customers may continue to view CBS programming on WTVR-6 (CBS-Richmond). For local Norfolk news coverage, customers may tune to WVEC-13 (ABC).

WAVY-10 (NBC-Norfolk): Customers may continue to view NBC programming on WWBT-12 (NBC-Richmond). For local Norfolk news coverage, customers may tune to WVEC-13 (ABC-Norfolk).

 

 

 

Notice to MetroCast-VA Customers in Northumberland

As a result of Retransmission Consent negotiations with local broadcast stations, MetroCast no longer will be able to provide the following broadcast stations after the dates indicated below:

December 31, 2011:

WAVY-10 (NBC-Norfolk): Customers may continue to view NBC programming on WWBT-12 (NBC-Richmond). For local Norfolk news coverage, customers may tune to WVEC-13 (ABC-Norfolk).

 

January 31, 2012:

WUSA-9 (CBS-Washington, DC): Customers may continue to view CBS programming on WTVR-6 (CBS-Richmond). 

 

 

 

 

Notice to MetroCast-VA Customers in Westmoreland

 

As a result of Retransmission Consent negotiations with local broadcast stations, MetroCast no longer will be able to provide the following broadcast stations after December 31, 2011:

WTVR-6 (CBS-Richmond): Customers may continue to view CBS programming on WUSA-9 (CBS-Washington, DC). 

WRIC-8 (ABC-Richmond, VA):  Customers may continue to view ABC programming on WJLA-7 (ABC-Washington, DC). 

WRLH-11 (Fox-Richmond, VA):  Customers may continue to view FOX programming on WTTG-5 (Fox-Washington, DC).

 

For local Richmond news coverage, customers may tune to WWBT-12 (NBC-Richmond).

 

 

 

Notice to MetroCast-MS Customers in

Pontotoc, Bruce, Calhoun, Derma, Houston, Pittsboro, Vardaman,

New Albany, Ecru, Myrtle, Water Valley, Coffeeville

 

As a result of Retransmission Consent negotiations with local broadcast stations, MetroCast no longer will be able to provide the following broadcast stations after December 31, 2011:

WREG-3 (CBS-Memphis): Customers may continue to view CBS programming on WCBI-4 (CBS-Columbus). 

WHBQ-13 (Fox-Memphis):  Customers may continue to view Fox programming on WLOV-27 (Fox-Tupelo).

 

For local Memphis news coverage, customers may tune to WMC-5 (NBC-Memphis).

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For more information about Retransmission Consent: