Insight may be Dropping ABC6/FOX28 « Columbus Underground Messageboard

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Insight may be Dropping ABC6/FOX28

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Started 6 months ago by News
Latest reply from th0m

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News
Columbus Underground
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The following message is posted on the homepages of WSYX ABC6 & WTTE FOX28:

http://www.abc6onyourside.com/

http://www.myfox28columbus.com/

Insight Communication's current contract to carry this station expires on December 31, 2011, and based on the current status of negotiations we do not believe they will be carrying this station after that date. We do not think it is appropriate to negotiate matters such as this in public and as a result are not prepared to comment further on the reasons that we do not believe a new contract will be entered into. This issue will impact only Insight subscribers and this station will continue to be available from DirecTV, DISH Network and Time Warner Cable and we encourage our loyal viewers to make alternative arrangements to ensure their uninterrupted ability to watch our great programming after the end of the year. Insight subscribers may also want to call Insight in order to let them know that they value this station and will consider canceling their Insight service if this station is not carried. We apologize for any inconvenience resulting from this and will update the information provided to the public on our station's broadcast and on our website if anything changes.

Posted 6 months ago #
patient_zero
Falafel District
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Hmm. Insight picked up Big 10 Network without pause. I'm surprised to hear they are having negotiation issues with 6/Fox. There's not a lot I watch on either, but I like Modern Family, This Week with Christiane Amanpour, and an occasional college football or basketball game. The Bucks will be on ABC this afternoon, for example. This could be an annoyance in 2012 if it doesn't clear negotiations. I may need to buy one of those converter boxes.

Posted 6 months ago #
Static-X
Here
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Just another way to get everyones panties in a bunch. Wasn't the Govenment going to shut down if the politicians didn't come to terms? The US postal service was going to shut down if they didn't do something immediately. And the NFL was going to fold if something wasn't done. The only thing that has crumble, due to greedy pieces of crap, is the NBA. And who really gives a tapered log about them. A bunch of non-sence.

Posted 6 months ago #
patient_zero
Falafel District
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It looks like Insight will continue ABC/Fox broadcasts even if an agreement can not be reached after reading this eletter:

Columbus, OH - Insight Communications is currently in negotiations with WSYX ABC 6 and WTTE FOX 28 in your area to carry their programming and unfortunately, they are threatening to take their channels off our cable system.

Insight is committed to protecting our customers and keeping your programming on during this process. We will never be the ones to jeopardize your television service or to put you at the center of a business dispute.

I call on WSYX ABC 6 and WTTE FOX 28 to make that same commitment.

We will continue to work to resolve this situation over the coming weeks. If we can't reach an agreement by the expiration of our current deal on December 31, Insight is committed to extend carriage of your channels, like we do with so many other program suppliers.

While we continue to work with the stations to find a solution, please use this site for updates and more information about what you can do.

Thank you,

Michael Willner
CEO, Insight Communications

Your reliable communications company.
http://www.letskeepiton.com/index.asp?loc=col

Posted 5 months ago #
neekap
Far east side
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This isn't the first time this sort of thing has happened. I remember a couple of years ago the same thing happened, possibly with Time Warner instead of Insight. Sinclair cries wolf, annoys everyone (not just Insight customers) with the crawler over most of their prime time programming for two months, then there's a magic deal that gets struck up at the eleventh hour.

The crawlers are actually getting a bit more annoying as, at least on FOX, they're scrolling about 1/3 of the way from the top of the screen -- much lower than the normal National Weather Service announcements.

Unfortunately, there's really no easy/good solution for us, the consumers. With an antenna, we can get the local channels over the air, though when the same thing eventually happens with cable channels, we'll have to turn to other outlets, such as the Internet or satellite TV, which both have caveats as well. Despite there not being a "monopoly" on cable television, most of us are forced into a monopoly situation where there's only one cable provider in the area.

Posted 5 months ago #
melikecheese
Merion Village
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Yeah this happens all the time, and the channels run their stupid, oh no you better switch cable companies crap, then low and behold, nothing changes when a deal is struck at the last minute.

I'd actually love it if for once the cable provider did drop a station, just for some excitement.

Posted 5 months ago #
Cookie
Flyntonville
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melikecheese said:
Yeah this happens all the time, and the channels run their stupid, oh no you better switch cable companies crap, then low and behold, nothing changes when a deal is struck at the last minute.

I'd actually love it if for once the cable provider did drop a station, just for some excitement.

A few years ago, Time Warner dropped the CW for a few weeks.

Posted 5 months ago #
patient_zero
Falafel District
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I don't mind if they drop them from their line up if ABC/Fox needs a shot fired above their heads. Negotiations are likely financial, but I can't find out any more information on either site. Insight picked up Big Ten Network without hesitation when other cable providers played the delay game.

While poking around the Insight site, I was surprised to read that they entered into an agreement to merger with Time Warner in August, the finalization of the agreement to take several months to merge. Whether this will bring higher or lower costs, better or worse customer service will remain to be seen, but I know when Time Warner merged with Cox Cable in Cleveland, prices raised and customer service suffered.

http://www.myinsight.com/documents/Insight_081511.pdf

NEW YORK, NY, August 15, 2011 – Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE: TWC) and Insight Communications Company, Inc. today announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Time Warner Cable will acquire Insight for $3 billion in cash. Insight serves more than 750,000 customers in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.
“We believe in our business and its long-term prospects and have long thought that Insight’s well-run, technologically advanced systems would fit well with our Midwest operations. With the deal announced today, we are able to acquire those systems at an attractive price that is consistent with both our disciplined approach to M&A and our capital allocation strategy,” said Glenn Britt, Chairman and CEO of Time Warner Cable. “We look forward to serving these customers, welcoming Insight employees to the Time Warner Cable team and building on Insight’s successes.”

"For more than 25 years, Insight has provided our customers with unparalleled service and an unwavering commitment to excellence," said Michael Willner, co-founder, Vice Chairman and CEO of Insight Communications. “We are extremely proud of the investment we’ve made to transform our cable systems into one of the leading telecommunications platforms in the nation. Given their industry-leading position and depth of resources, we expect that Time Warner Cable will continue building on the advancements our tremendous employees have made while providing outstanding service to our customers. The communities we serve could not be in better hands than with Time Warner Cable which already operates in this region and is widely regarded as one of the most respected technology companies in the world."

Insight is currently owned by The Carlyle Group, Crestview Partners, MidOcean Partners, members of Insight management and others. Carlyle and Insight management took the company private in December 2005, and Crestview and MidOcean purchased a significant stake in the company in April 2010.

This transaction is subject to expiration or early termination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust waiting period, receipt of FCC and franchise approvals, and other customary closing conditions. Time Warner Cable and Insight will work together to provide a smooth transition for both customers and employees.

Posted 5 months ago #
GCrites80s
5xNW
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Cookie said:
A few years ago, Time Warner dropped the CW for a few weeks.

And only 13-year-old girls cared.

Christmas used to mean annoying commercials, but now it's a bunch of this. Since it goes on every year, people are going to start getting apathetic about it very quickly.

Posted 5 months ago #
th0m
Beechwold
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More fear mongering from Sinclair, and this fits with their MO in everything they do, and it is insulting to the viewers. If I was paying for commercials on their station I'd want a prorated refund for every frame their message is on. Frankly why should we care? If this was happening to a friend of mine, I'd have some sympathy, but some esoteric contract dispute between two entities that in the business of selling *me* and *my eyes*? No way.

Posted 5 months ago #