Network non-duplication, network blackouts

[rch66]

It's been reported that WHAG 25(NBC), from Hagerstown MD, is actively pursuing D.C. market coverage on DirecTV and Dish Network. They have recently provided the signal to Dish Network, which might become active to customers. Would WRC 4(NBC) just let it pass without any issue? Usually, the local station requests network non duplication, but in these cases both stations are in the same DMA, and its satellite tv that's the medium, and here is a network channel add-in into a market. Different than Grand Rapids, where the situation on cable was mirrored to satellite. (Both ABCs are on cable in Grand Rapids). GR is a lot smaller market alsf course, most D.C. area viewers could always put up an antenna and get WBAL(another distant NBC), but the local station (this is in general) main issue is not that, but the providers offering a distant (same network affiliation) signal, since most television households watch their programming through a provider. Most people in the area would still choose WRC, anyways...including those in Hagerstown, but from general rule - the local station (ex. WRC) wouldn't want the distant station, to available for everyone in the market. For ex., WRC wouldn't want WNBC being offered in D.C. and neighboring counties.

 

[Markxxx]

Similar situation is in Tampa with an ABC in Sarasota being in the same market as the Tampa ABC station

 

[JeeperOne]

Hi everyone:

It's been reported that WHAG 25(NBC), from Hagerstown MD, is actively pursuing D.C. market coverage on DirecTV and Dish Network. They have recently provided the signal to Dish Network, which might become active to customers. Would WRC 4(NBC) just let it pass without any issue?

Umm....In a word - NO.Reason? Simple. It's called exclusivity.

Usually, the local station requests network non duplication, but in these cases both stations are in the same DMA, and its satellite tv that's the medium, and here is a network channel add-in into a market. Different than Grand Rapids, where the situation on cable was mirrored to satellite. (Both ABCs are on cable in Grand Rapids). GR is a lot smaller market also.

Not only that, but you're not dealing with an O&O in Grand Rapids, unlike the situation in the Hagerstown/Washington DC area.Networks tend to get a little fussy when one of their O&O's is the target (And understandably so) EVEN IF the non-O&O (in this case WHAG-TV in Hagerstown) wants to do what WGN does on cable by airing original or syndie fare during network times.

Most people in the area would still choose WRC, anyways...including those in Hagerstown, but from general rule - the local station (ex. WRC) wouldn't want the distant station, to available for everyone in the market. For ex., WRC wouldn't want WNBC being offered in D.C. and neighboring counties.

There's only one thing left to add to that...What's good for THE GOOSE is good for THE GANDER.Long and short, I just don't see it happening for the simple fact that the networks have just as much right to protect the audiences of their O&O's as the average small town network affiliates do in protecting their audiences.Just my opinion Cheers Pat

 

[Nertz!]

How would something like this work in significantly viewed areas like central New Jersey where you can get NYC and Philadelphia stations?

 

[Apollo7979]

It's been reported that WHAG 25(NBC), from Hagerstown MD, is actively pursuing D.C. market coverage on DirecTV and Dish Network. They have recently provided the signal to Dish Network, which might become active to customers. Would WRC 4(NBC) just let it pass without any issue? Usually, the local station requests network non duplication, but in these cases both stations are in the same DMA, and its satellite tv that's the medium, and here is a network channel add-in into a market. Different than Grand Rapids, where the situation on cable was mirrored to satellite. (Both ABCs are on cable in Grand Rapids). GR is a lot smaller market also.

Isn't Boston another market that offers satellite carriage of both a Boston ABC in addition to WMUR-TV in New Hampshire?I would love for DirecTV and LIN-TV to come to an agreement to place my local WLFI-TV on with the Indianapolis local channels. I live in the county to the west of Lafayette, IN and WLFI does a much better job at covering area news than any of the Indy stations put together. I don't even get weather alerts from the Indy stations and I live in their DMA (I have to get my weather coverage by antenna from either Champaign, Chicago, or Lafayette (if it's the weekend, forget about WLFI). Such a move would definitely be in the best interest of the counties in the Indianapolis DMA to the north and west of Lafayette in the least for weather if not for anything else.That leads me to another question, is there any way that I can request to different local channels from some of the other nearby markets that better cover my county? If so, what would I need to do?

 

[JeeperOne]

Hi everyone:

How would something like this work in significantly viewed areas like central New Jersey where you can get NYC and Philadelphia stations?

Well, in the first place, Central NJ is the proverbial TV marketing blackhole. It's not like you have a centralized DMA there as you would in the D.C. area.That's why.Cheers

 

[compubit]

One side thought on the WRC/WNBC thing - NBC owns both - so it's getting the eyes one way or another.

Were I in DC and had to choose between WRC and WHAG, I'd probably pick WRC; vice versa in Hagerstown, but it is nice being able to get the news from both, though...

Jim