The CW and Tribune resume talks after "standoff"

[crackedscreen]

After talks between the CW and Tribune had stalled earlier this year (some sources had described the situation as a standoff), I hear the two sides have resumed conversations at the highest level. There are no signs of concern at the moment but sources indicate that there also isn’t “a sense of urgency,” so observers expect that negotiations may stretch into 2016. (Tribune’s affiliate deal does not expire until fall 2016.) There is a desire on both sides to keep the partnership going, though I hear both companies also have contingency plans in the works in case a new deal does not work out.

While the desire and intention is to work out a new affiliate agreement with Tribune, I hear the CW has alternative options in the Tribune markets. CBS has duopoly stations in а number of them, including Los Angeles. There are other potential scenarios (I hear that MyNetwork TV may be relying on year-to-year renewals, which could put a number of stations, including in the top three markets, in play potentially).

For Tribune, it would be a financial decision as the company has to pay a fee to carry CW programming. The company, which has been going through earnings up and downs as it is trying to rebuild the TV operation following the split from publishing, also is eyeing alternatives market-by-market.

https://deadline.com/2015/09/cw-tribune-deal-renewal-talks-netflix-hulu-1201505947/

 

[Mediafrog+]

While the desire and intention is to work out a new affiliate agreement with Tribune, I hear the CW has alternative options in the Tribune markets.

Houston actually has the rare commodity of a full power English language independent in KUBE/57, which could be a landing place for The CW should Tribune dump it on KIAH.

 

[mvcg66b3r]

Washington DC would be a problem. Since WDCA is owned by FOX, the only place The CW would go would be on a subchannel, likely WJLA or WUSA. If so, DC would be the largest market with a CW station on a subchannel.

 

[E-Cam]

Houston actually has the rare commodity of a full power English language independent in KUBE/57, which could be a landing place for The CW should Tribune dump it on KIAH.

As for DFW, KDAF (as crappy as they are) should consider going independent with the CW landing on CBS-owned KTXA. Would be excited to know when I see stations like WPIX, KTLA, and WGN go back independent as well.