Washington, D.C.
(April 28, 2007) --
KEYT, the ABC affiliate in Santa Barbara, California, has just
launched a High-Definition channel.
However, Cox cable TV subscribers shouldn't look for it in their high-def lineup.
Santa Barbara is the latest battleground between local stations and cable TV operators with the former asking for compensation for the right to carry their high-def signals.
However, Cox cable TV subscribers shouldn't look for it in their high-def lineup.
Santa Barbara is the latest battleground between local stations and cable TV operators with the former asking for compensation for the right to carry their high-def signals.
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The cable operators say they shouldn't have to pay for the local HD signals because they are available for free via off-air antennas.
According to an article in The Santa Barbara Daily Sound. Cox's Santa Barbara service has carried the high-def feed of the Los Angeles-based ABC affiliate since 2005.
However, Cox spokesman David Edelman said KEYT asked it to remove the LA channel when it launched its own high-def signal this month. In addition, Edelman said, KEYT said Cox could not carry its high-def signal without compensation.
By federal law, a TV provider can not carry a local station's signal without its permission.
"KEYT has forced Cox to stop broadcasting ABC HD until an agreement is finalized. Tune to channel three for ABC programming," the station says on the channel where the LA ABC HD feed was formerly placed.
“We were anxious and willing to carry their High Definition signal as soon as it was ready,” Edelman said. “They’ve got some huge conditions for us to carry their signal," he told the Sound.
Cathy Jacquemin, vice president and general manager for KEYT, said her station is "only asking to be treated the same way they treat KSBY, KCOY and KKFX (other Santa Barbara stations that Cox is carrying). We are choosing to try and continue negotiating with Cox regardless of their behavior.”
The local station-cable TV battle over compensation has been fought in several cities around the country over the last year.
Click TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni Sez.
© TVPredictions.com
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The cable operators say they shouldn't have to pay for the local HD signals because they are available for free via off-air antennas.
According to an article in The Santa Barbara Daily Sound. Cox's Santa Barbara service has carried the high-def feed of the Los Angeles-based ABC affiliate since 2005.
However, Cox spokesman David Edelman said KEYT asked it to remove the LA channel when it launched its own high-def signal this month. In addition, Edelman said, KEYT said Cox could not carry its high-def signal without compensation.
By federal law, a TV provider can not carry a local station's signal without its permission.
"KEYT has forced Cox to stop broadcasting ABC HD until an agreement is finalized. Tune to channel three for ABC programming," the station says on the channel where the LA ABC HD feed was formerly placed.
“We were anxious and willing to carry their High Definition signal as soon as it was ready,” Edelman said. “They’ve got some huge conditions for us to carry their signal," he told the Sound.
Cathy Jacquemin, vice president and general manager for KEYT, said her station is "only asking to be treated the same way they treat KSBY, KCOY and KKFX (other Santa Barbara stations that Cox is carrying). We are choosing to try and continue negotiating with Cox regardless of their behavior.”
The local station-cable TV battle over compensation has been fought in several cities around the country over the last year.
Click TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni Sez.
© TVPredictions.com
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