No more 49 after midnight for Dish customers
KTKA Channel 49
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
News learned today that satellite TV provider Dish Network will no longer carry KTKA as of midnight December 31, 2008.
Retransmission refers to the practice of cable operators and satellite providers pulling down a broadcaster’s over-the-air signal and then retransmitting that signal to their subscribers’ homes.
In recent months, KTKA has worked with area satellite and cable providers to establish fair and reasonable compensation for their use of its broadcast signal as part of retransmission negotiations.
“Despite continuing discussions, Dish Network indicated on December 31 it would no longer carry KTKA-ABC as of January 1, 2009,” said Maria Preston-Cargill, company spokesperson.
Dish Network has refused terms that other video providers deemed acceptable. Agreements have been reached with all other local television distributors in KTKA’s viewing area.
Most disappointingly, Dish Network has refused KTKA’s offer to continue carriage while negotiations continue, Preston-Cargill said. As a result, Dish Network is not giving their customers time to find alternate ways to get KTKA’s signal.
KTKA 49 ABC News is owned by Free State Communications LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of The World Company. The World Company is a news and media communications company headquartered in Lawrence, Kansas.
You can call Dish Network at 1-888-284-7116
Questions About Dish Network Dropping KTKA?
Q: Why didn’t Dish Network customers receive any notice of the elimination of KTKA from the channel line-up?
A: Dish Network representatives informed KTKA management at 5pm December 31 of the decision to remove the station from its channel line-up. KTKA’s offer of a contract extension to allow time for Dish Network customers to be notified was refused.
Q: What cable and video providers will carry KTKA-ABC?
A: In recent months, KTKA has worked with area satellite and cable providers to establish fair and reasonable compensation for their use of its broadcast signal as part of retransmission consent negotiations. We’re pleased to have reached agreements with Allegiance, Blue Valley Cable, Waterville Cable, Cox Communications, Eagle Communications, Galaxy Cable, Giant Communications, SCI Cable and AT&T. Agreements are pending with the following providers: Wamego Telecommunications, Mediacom and DirectTV.
One provider, Dish Networks, has refused terms acceptable to other providers and has refused to continue negotiations.
This means that KTKA is no longer carried on Dish Network effective January 1, 2009.
With your help, we hope to reopen negotiations and reach an agreement very soon so that Dish Network customers are disrupted as little as possible.
Q: What is Retransmission Consent?
A: Retransmission refers to the practice of cable operators and satellite providers pulling down a broadcaster’s over-the-air signal and then retransmitting that signal to their subscribers’ homes. KTKA benefits from the distribution of a strong clear signal provided by cable and satellite companies who carry the station. Cable and satellite providers’ benefit by being able to offer their customers a video product that includes award-winning local, sports and weather programming as well as top-rate ABC network content. Federal regulations give local broadcast stations the right to request payment for their signals.
Q: What’s preventing KTKA from reaching an agreement with Dish Network?
A: Agreements have been reached with all other local television distributors in KTKA’s viewing area. Dish Network has refused terms that other video providers deemed acceptable.
Q: What can I do as a Dish Network customer?
A: Contact Dish Network at 1-888-284-7116 and ask them to bring KTKA back.
Q: Is this related to the Feb. 17, 2009 Digital Transition?
A: No. Retransmission is not related to the digital transition on February 17, 2009. However, after that date Dish Network customers will be required to buy digital broadcast converters for every TV set that is not broadcast digital ready to continue to receive KTKA’s signal over the air.
darlaw123 (anonymous) says...
Apparently they didn't want to be in business anymore. Because the way they chose to handle this issue was not a good business decision at all. First they gave us no warning. Then, they decided to use television to whine! Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone could whine about price increases and unfairness on public TV. They must think their customers are idiots. They want us to complain to KTKA, so our cost for their services won't increase. Like we don't have other options?? I have a suspicion they're more worried about their cost, than ours...YOU THINK!! This made our decision to switch very easy.
January 1, 2009 at 12:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
How much will my monthly bill go down because I no longer get 49?
January 1, 2009 at 1:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Turn the dish off and use an antenna, no biggie(unless you didn't get a convertor box or HD TV bought)
January 1, 2009 at 5:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
neighbor
Have you tried to pick up a digital signal with an antenna?
We got a converter box and the signal wasn't strong enough to come in. With digital you don't have the option of a fuzzy picture, either it comes in or it's a blue screen. I was just wondering if anyone else had better luck than we did.
January 1, 2009 at 5:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zeepmonk (anonymous) says...
This is only KTKA's side of the story.
Why should KTKA get any money from dish? If KTKA is going to do away with commercials then fine charge. This iis a free signal that KTKA is all ready getting paid for.
January 1, 2009 at 5:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthinkin (anonymous) says...
Step 2 - Complete --- Step 1 happened a few years ago when local networks got their non-compete arrangement, so that no other network signal could come in --- in essence capturing the advertising market --- now, they want to charge the satellite providers for a signal that goes out for free -- I love 49 & will miss their shows - particularly my soap opera --- but I salute Dish for not bowing down to their demands. Shame on you KTKA -- I guess I'll find other shows to watch.
January 1, 2009 at 6:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sociallyconsious (anonymous) says...
It was an excellent point you brought up that it was the local broadcast stations which created the situation which did not allow out of town networks to be carried. Such as those from the East and West coast which we use to be able to see on Dish network. These were dropped so that the local affiliate/stations could have broadcast rights.
One option available to all Dish / Direct TV subscribers would be to request a waiver from KTKA. The waiver would allow Dish Network or Direct TV to provide you with an alternate ABC affiliate.
January 2, 2009 at 12:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Russ (anonymous) says...
I have not had dish or cable ever and get along just fine without them, I still get 5 or 6 channels with nothing more than a antenna and 49 comes in just fine, I just bought a converter box for $10 and get about 8 channels with it, and 49 still comes in just fine. the best part, It's free! (except for the $10 box)
I dont need to pay for dish or cable, and in my opinion if you need 50 different cahnnels to watch, you have to much time to waste pushing buttons on a remote. Not trying to offend anyone, but there is more to life than watching TV or making a fuss over not being able to.
January 2, 2009 at 6:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
abc123 (anonymous) says...
Most good shows that are on ABC regularly can be viewed online too. That's what I do when I forget to set the DVR. Still irritating though, a bunch of greedy jerks ruining it for everyone, and I really don't understand why the other channels are ok with it and 49 isn't, what's the big difference?
January 2, 2009 at 8:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Shawna (anonymous) says...
I find this article amusing.
49 KTKA is owned by The World Company in Lawrence, the same company that also owns the local TV station (Channel 6), the local (and other city) newspaper (Lawrence Journal World among many others), the local cable/phone/broadband company (Sunflower Cable). The Simon family has created quite a communications monopoly in Lawrence.
The Lawrence Journal World ran almost an identical "news" story in the paper. The difference was that the Kansas City ABC affliiate station was "refusing" to allow Sunflower Cable to rebroadcast their station.
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/dec...
Supposedly, the KC ABC station was asking for too much money or something which was unfair to Sunflower Cable. And although Sunflower did its "best" to negotiate they could not reach a deal. Now Lawrence cable subscribers have lost their HD ABC feed. Notification was last minute. The Lawrence subscribers are now forced to watch ---- guess which---- KTKA 49 ABC station. (Shocker!!)
Now it looks like The World Company is in retaliation mode and is doing to DISH the same thing. KTKA is asking for too much money and forcing DISH to shut off the station. WOW -- what a coincidence!!!!
The World Company is clearly greedy and manipulative. Nevermind that they offer poor customer service and that people do not like doing business with them.
Good luck DISH subscribers.
January 2, 2009 at 12:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
Russ, do you have a fridge, stove and furnace?
January 2, 2009 at 5:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wirewatt (Ken Bazil) says...
I have contacted Dish and requested that we receive the ABC station out of Wichita, which would be a better deal. If you live in Chase Co. you get the Wichita Station. I don't want the cost to go up because of Ch. 49 wanting more money, but I want the ABC station.
January 2, 2009 at 8:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
momus (anonymous) says...
KTKA may be missing the point, and I think another poster alluded to this earlier... The medium of television is changing to include web based broadcasts. If I really want to watch a show on ABC I don't necessarily need KTKA to do it. So, essentially KTKA is taking an action that decreases viewership for their station AND the value of advertising to local businesses, thus potentially decreasing ad revenue above and beyond what they could hope to gain from the Dish Network in compensation for rebroadcast rights. Simultaneously, KTKA is pushing more consumers (like me) to view programs through the national ABC web site on demand, hastening the loss of television market share by at least one local affiliate.
I understand wanting fair and equitable compensation for a product or service, but in this case the station may be wise to find a compromise quickly before new shows start and viewers get used to viewing ABC programming through alternative means.
January 2, 2009 at 10:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
"neighbor
Have you tried to pick up a digital signal with an antenna?"
I turn my DTV dish off to receive the local channels with an antenna all the time, I refuse to pay extra for them when they are there for the viewing for free. I have an aerial ant. mounted in my attic instead of on a pole outside to get hit by lightning, ice etc. I have a signal amplifier on it and have hooked up the converter box for my older TV's and I get the digital signal just fine.
January 2, 2009 at 11:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Free4all (anonymous) says...
What seems wierd is that WIBW just had a big feud and won with cox cable and now cox pays WIBW to air their network. So why should KTKA have to pay dish to air their network? None of it makes a lick of sense other than everyone wants the cookie in the cookie jar.
January 3, 2009 at 12:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Free4all (anonymous) says...
Ok reread the article and yes they already get some compensation for being aired. Just sounds like DTV is trying to play hard ball and force a deal. I like your idea neighbor, a friend of mine in Topeka has a converter and gets alot of diffrent channels and very happy with just that.
January 3, 2009 at 12:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
neighbor
Thanks for the info. We just tried with rabbit ears and the signal wasn't strong enough. I'm not going to buy all that other stuff, I'll just do everything online.
January 3, 2009 at 9 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
I got 10 area netwrok channels with the convertor off the antenna when I tried last fall. The signal boosters make a big difference.
January 3, 2009 at 10:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Russ (anonymous) says...
Admireed, you ask me the question about a fridge, stove and furnace and if I have these things, I do not understand what this has to do with anything.
What was the point of the question?
January 4, 2009 at 12:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
Russ you seem to be proud to be "communication deprived". Thought you may also be proud to be without other modern conveniences..
January 4, 2009 at 11:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Russ (anonymous) says...
admireed, I guess people can draw their own conclusions from my post. I never thought being without cable or dish was "communication deprived" I still read the paper, have the internet, listen to the radio and even watch ABC, NBC and CBS news. I dont feel deprived, but maybe without dish I just dont realize what the rest of the world has and how much better they are able to communicate!
January 5, 2009 at 5:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
abc123 (anonymous) says...
The only thing I watched 49 for was Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters, both of which you can watch online without near the amount of annoying commercials that you usually experience. They are both hour long shows on TV but online it is about 30 min. Love it!
January 5, 2009 at 5:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weltha (anonymous) says...
Yes, it is true you can watch online.... IF.... you have highspeed. We have to use dialup or satellite where I live. You can't watch anything on dialup. Satellite (which we have) is "highspeed" not really. One 30 minute show uses up your alotted band width for the day and slows you down to dialup for the remainder of the day. It sucks not having ABC. We have an antenna with a booster and can NOT get 49 good enough to view. Unless you consider purple and red fuzzy squiggles with NO sound viewable. Well, wait there is sound but I don't know how to type the sound a fuzzy screen makes. LOL
January 6, 2009 at 9:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
WIBW reported tonight that KTKA was back on the DISH network after reaching an agreement today.
January 7, 2009 at 11:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )