The two fail to reach a new retransmission consent agreement following a five-day extension of negotiations to Sept. 5.
No Retrans Deal For Hearst, Cox
Cox Communications and Hearst Television weren’t able to reach a renewal of their retransmission consent agreement for the carriage of Hearst Television’s stations on Cox’s cable systems. As a result, Hearst stations are no longer being carried by Cox Communications cable systems.
Hearst had previously granted Cox a five-day extension in hopes of concluding a renewal of its carriage agreement with Cox by Sept. 5, and said it offered an additional three-day extension (which would have allowed us to notify our respective viewers and customers of the potential impasse) in order to continue discussions, but, Hearst said, Cox refused the additional extension.
“We are disappointed that Cox has refused our customary offer to extend our agreement, especially during this period of severe weather” stated Hearst Television President Jordan Wertlieb. “As a local broadcaster, we are keenly aware of the importance of serving our local viewers during times like these. Our stations work diligently every day to provide access to important news and weather, as well as vital emergency information. Our commitment to the local communities we serve will continue regardless of this impasse.”
“While we had hoped to conclude our negotiations before the extended Sept. 5 deadline, Cox has refused to continue those discussions and is seeking the right to carry our stations at below market rates, which is neither fair nor reasonable,” Hearst said. “Hearst Television has made significant investments to deliver premier programming, including critical local news and weather programming like the type we have provided during Harvey and the post-hurricane relief efforts.
“While our stations are not available on Cox’s systems, we have not ‘blacked out’ our stations. You may continue to receive our stations for free, over the air, and, where available, from your local cable or satellite operators.”
Hearst added that it regretted “the inconvenience Cox’s actions have imposed on its subscribers, and we will keep you fully informed of developments.”
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Comments (16)
Cheryl Thorne says:
September 6, 2017 at 8:18 am
who cares except them???they think we cannot do without them…hah!!!
John Bagwell says:
September 6, 2017 at 8:36 am
Let the free market decide. If nobody cares except them, then it will play out that way. What is your username going to be next week?
Debra Rein says:
September 6, 2017 at 9:22 am
At some point these satcasters and cable companies are going to realize that the created content of another company is not free anymore. They had a gravy train for years, but it is gone now. They need to adjust their model to pay for their (for resale) content like everyone else in the free world does.
Where else does a middleman get their product for free?
alicia farmer says:
September 6, 2017 at 9:36 am
It hasn’t been “free” since 1992. The problem is the continued unreasonable $ demands. Most consumers can easily receive OTA signals for no cost. Station and network programming comes with an insane commercial glut – around 22 minutes per hour. Those eyeballs are payment. Please get real.
Debra Rein says:
September 6, 2017 at 1:33 pm
You are correct. They can get it for free. So why pay for cable. If you are going to resale our product then you will be charged. Who is to say what reasonable is. Cable and sat keep paying it so it must be reasonable. Or maybe go pay someone else and have our channel location. Apparently it is a needed channel because you keep paying it.
Snead Hearn says:
September 6, 2017 at 10:25 am
Both sides need to adjust their business model. This revenue line has replaced and added to the network comp line that disappeared years ago. Sat/Cable never intended to have to pay what is being asked by broadcasters. Obviously there is greed on both sides. The free market will determine the outcome.
alicia farmer says:
September 6, 2017 at 12:27 pm
8 million TV antennas were sold last year, doubling the amount from 2008. 8.5 million is 2017 estimate.
3.2 million cable/satellite TV HH dropped service last year. 3.8 million is the 2017 estimate. OTT streaming is now over 50%. The free market is speaking – loudly.
Veronica Serrano Padilla says:
September 6, 2017 at 12:32 pm
I’ve said it before, cable/satellite would likely agree to pay more for broadcasters’ content if they didn’t have to overpay for all the cable channels the broadcast companies created (ESPN anyone). Broadcasters argue that their content is heavily watched and highly rated, thus they need more compensation – and that’s true. Maybe the answer is to base compensation on ratings instead of the pick a number out of the air method now used..
Debra Rein says:
September 6, 2017 at 1:38 pm
The free market is doing that. Notice the 100 plus layoffs of on air talent at ESPN this year. The market will find the fair point. you are watching it look for it right now in these negotiations.
Don Thompson says:
September 6, 2017 at 1:28 pm
That Hearst yanked the NBC/New Orleans station from Cox between Harvey and Irma is really shocking. Please Follow Me On Twitter: @TedatACA or @AmericanCable
Debra Rein says:
September 6, 2017 at 1:40 pm
Raycom did an extension with Direct. I’m sure if Cox was willing then there would have been an extension. They are using money as their negotiation as a took, which is fine. “damn the people” Says Cox..
Kim Becker says:
September 6, 2017 at 1:57 pm
I think you failed to read the article before trying to push twitter traffic.
“We are disappointed that Cox has refused our customary offer to extend our agreement, especially during this period of severe weather” stated Hearst Television President Jordan Wertlieb. “As a local broadcaster, we are keenly aware of the importance of serving our local viewers during times like these. Our stations work diligently every day to provide access to important news and weather, as well as vital emergency information. Our commitment to the local communities we serve will continue regardless of this impasse.”
Sounds an awful lot like Cox was willing to take their chances to stir up more attention.
Wagner Pereira says:
September 6, 2017 at 8:58 pm
Only illinformed Ted thinks Harvey hit New Orleans and Irma is headed that way. Then again, no matter when a station is dropped in New Orleans, (even in January) its always between 2 hurricanes….as another is always formed each year come Hurricane Season.
Wagner Pereira says:
September 6, 2017 at 9:03 pm
Of course, if it’s so easy to pickup all the OTA signal as @formergm and others claim, guess this is a non-story.
Marla Lardiere says:
September 6, 2017 at 1:46 pm
If Cox is saying they won’t pay then we suffer whatever way they choose. They raise our rates anyway!
Julien Devereux says:
September 6, 2017 at 2:58 pm
I said to hell with them all years ago and got an antenna. I’ve never regretted it.