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Mediacom vs. Sinclair (KGAN-CR & DSM FOX)

M

mediawatcher

Last night the news reports alerted the population that the dispute between Mediacom and Sinclair may lead to no Mediacom cable outlet for a Des Moines FOX channel and KGAN (CBS2) in Cedar Rapids. Other cable outlets and satellite systems would still pick up the channels if the dispute goes past November 30th.

The chatter on WMT radio last evening was more about the loss of Iowa Hawkeye coverage than anything that KGAN or CBS produces. Some people still claim that they could dust off the rabbit ears and get an off air signal which is fairly strong at times in the CR metro area -- as you would expect. The DSM area satellite provider is already yalking abut a $150 rebate if people there switch to the bird instead of staying on copper.

While this is a radio forum that occasionally slips into television discussion I would like to know what this group thinks about the whole idea of out of state corporations calling the shots in this dispute that are not based in the viewing area. And if you want to expand it to what you think KGAN will do as a repsonse please illuminate us.
 
"First of all, you will continue to be able to watch us completely for free over-the-air." I call BS. You could live on Collins Road and still get a poor signal. Is that flying pumpin-shaped thing in the middle of the snow supposed to be a basketball?
 
KGAN has always had a poor signal even in CR-- that comes from in part being low on the broadcast spectrum. They never have invested in boosting their signal for any length of time.

And remember the television broadcast spectrum is auctioned off in 2009 so no off air for anybody in Iowa or the US for that matter. Maybe the Mediacom/Sinclair dispute will be resolved by then.
 
"And remember the television broadcast spectrum is auctioned off in 2009 so no off air for anybody in Iowa or the US for that matter."

Stupid Republican Fascists
 
Sinclair's arguments are rather worthless.
1. The FCC requires cable companies to carry over the air channels in a given area if those channels demanded to be carried. That's why low power stations in Waterloo and Dubuque are carried on cable even though one is nothing but reruns and the other is nothing but televangelists.
The requirement was made because over the air channels were afraid of being shut out of viewers when cable first started to gain ground.
2. Sinclair is demanding payment for a low rated station like channel 2. They want to make up for declining ad revenue by blackmailing cable subscribers.
3. What a great deal, up to $150 for direct tv, read the fine print... You get the payout with certain packages and it is paid to you as a $10 per month credit over 15 months.
All I can say is goodbye channel 2 I'm not digging out rabbit ears for your channel and more and more network shows are winding up online.
 
No way it'll happen. As soon as advertisers start pulling spots (which I can attest to some who have already indicated they will) everyone will get their KDSM back (or whatever Sinclair station is affected in the particular market).
 
mediawatcher said:
And remember the television broadcast spectrum is auctioned off in 2009 so no off air for anybody in Iowa or the US for that matter. Maybe the Mediacom/Sinclair dispute will be resolved by then.
Click to expand...
I've been away for quite a while, but wow, that is ridiculously wrong. Analog will be gone, but free OTA will still exist in the form of digital signals.
 
If Mediacom and Sinclair don't come to an agrrement before tonight's deadline what are the possibilities that Mediacom in Cedar Rapids will pick up some other CBS station (from Des Moines or Davenport)?
 
There is no chance whatsoever that Cedar Rapids or Waterloo Mediacom subscribers will get a different CBS feed than KGAN.

It's a geographical thing, with Iowa City being close enough to Rock Island, where WHBF is located. Also, enough measured counties bordering Iowa City must show measurable viewership of WHBF to allow their signal to be retransmitted by Mediacom.

Dubuque has a similar situation with the CBS affiliate in Madison, so they too won't miss any CBS programming. But Waterloo and CR are stuck without that option.
 
I disagree supersoul.
Technically Cedar Rapids is within the 47dBu grade B contour of WHBF (well, part of the city at least). Terrain shouldn't matter in the FCC's eyes since coverage is only based upon radials extending 3-16 km and the low terrain in CR isn't taken into account by this figure. As long as a portion of the city is covered and there is belief by Mediacom that there would be enough viewers, then the station can be carried. (Didn't they already add WHBF?) I bet Mediacom would find a way to pull this one off, especially when listeners complain and demand carriage of WHBF.

As for waterloo, KIMT out of Mason City puts a 47dBu over the entire city. Again, very plausible that Mediacom can claim that there are enough viewers in WL to justify carrying them. I believe KIMT could ask that they be carried in WL. KIMT could win big if they got WL advertisers. Win-Win for both parties, meanwhile KGAN loses big.

As for KDSM, Mediacom is probably screwed. KFXA doesn't come anywhere near Des Moines (although I have picked them up in Ames with a marginal signal). Omaha and Ottumwa (KYOU is still FOX right?) would be even worse.

I could be way off. Unfortunately most of my knowledge is in the radio rules and not the TV rules. :-(
 
Supersoul is correct...at least of of this morning KGAN is gone from the Waterloo market. Mediacom says they will fill the space in it's line-up with programming from some of it's other channels. The timing of this really blows for those without rabbit ears or sat...NFL Wild Card Weekend underway, NCAA basketball..the Hawkeyes...I would love to be a fly on the wall at KGAN and Mediacom to hear the complaints coming in!!!
 
The ability of Mediacom to carry alternative affiliates boils down to the Nielsen research estimates for bordering counties.

The FCC has a system in place and competing affiliates must have a certain percentage of viewers in neighboring counties to allow the carriage of an alternate.

That is why WHBF is now on in Iowa City, as the neighboring counties have a high enough percentage of WHBF viewers already. Obviously these are over the air viewers.

Cedar Rapids and Waterloo are screwed. As is DMS.
 
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