NICHOLAS YOUNG @ RHYTHM IN MOTION 9 APRIL 2014
WTVA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for DirecTV Subscribers
What is happening to WTVA on DirecTV?
WTVAs parent company, Heartland Media, and DirecTV are in the process of negotiating a renewal of the current retransmission agreement between WTVA and DirecTV. This agreement is scheduled to expire on August 10, 2016. Without a renewal, DirecTV will no longer carry WTVAs programming and content. Over the past several months, WTVAs owners have attempted to reach a new long-term agreement with DirecTV in the hopes of preventing any interruption of service for viewers. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to move forward with DirecTV, little progress has been made.
Why can"t you reach an agreement?
For some reason, DirecTV has not been willing to negotiate appropriate market value retransmission compensation that other distributors are paying for WTVAs content. Primarily, Heartland Media and DirecTV disagree on the value of WTVAs programming and content. DirecTV resells this same content to you, the subscriber, yet refuses to compensate at a fair market value the highly rated and award-winning programming that WTVA produces every day for its viewers.
Why should DirecTV have to pay to carry television stations that are available for free over-the-air?
WTVA is available over-the-air for free to our viewers, but our signal is not free to pay services such as DirecTV that repackage our signals and sell them to their subscribers. In fact, the law requires cable and satellite providers to obtain consent for the right to carry broadcast stations and to compensate them in exchange for granting their consent.
Don"t television stations benefit from being available on satellite providers?
All channels benefit from being carried on a cable or satellite system. Cable and satellite systems like DirecTV generally pay for the right to carry stations and networks. We are simply asking to be treated fairly in being compensated. The right to request payment is something that the U.S. Congress has explicitly authorized.
Is there anything I can do to keep WTVA on DirecTV?
The best thing you can do is to let DirecTV know that they need to keep local channels like WTVA on their system to retain you as a customer. You have alternatives and you should let them know that you will use them if they don"t provide the same level of programming as their competition.
If this can"t be resolved and the stations aren"t carried on DirecTV, how can I watch WTVA?
Although we understand and apologize for the inconvenience caused by this to our viewers, you still have several ways to watch WTVA. WTVA is available free over-the-air by antenna on channel 9.1 and 9.2, and on Comcast Cable (800)-934-6489, Charter Cable (888) 438-2427, DISH Network (800) 333-3474, MaxxSouth Broadband (800) 457-5351and the smaller cable companies of your area. Most people have the option to use an antenna to receive WTVA over-the-air for free. Alternatively you can cancel your DirecTV service and choose to go with one of DirecTVs cable or satellite competitors.
How much money is involved?
The negotiations are still taking place, but what we can tell you is that the fees were requesting are a very small percentage of the average bill paid by DirecTVs subscribers. Heartland Media is requesting to be paid far lower fees than what DirecTV currently pays for other lower rated programming.
If the increase is that small why isnt DirecTV agreeing to pay it?
That"s a great question, but you would have to ask DirecTV. In fact, we suggest you get in touch with them to ask them just that. Who wouldn"t agree to a nominal fee per day for your whole family to receive some of the most popular, widely watched programming on television? You can call DirecTV customer support at 1-800-DIRECTV (800-347-3288).
Source: http://www.wtva.com/aboutus/QandA
