WSFA and DirecTV at Odds? (Dec. 31 Update)
Just saw this at wsfa.com. DirecTV and WSFA are having problems negotiating a contract. So it’s not just Dish Network with these problems. Is this a case of Raycom being greedy or DirecTV pinching pennies? Wait a second, didn’t DirecTV just begin airing WSFA a few months ago? There’s seems to be allot of these disputes going on lately. And yes, Raycom, it does come down to money.
MTR prediction: The two sides make a last-second agreement and your programming never goes away. Happens every time. We would be shocked if you lose WSFA programming. Too much to lose on both sides. Be prepared to break out those antennas just in case though.
Hey DirecTV, while you’re fiddling around with Raycom why don’t you call up Woods Communications and get a deal done for WCOV!
DirecTV customers, what are your thoughts?
Update: As of 9:30 pm on December 31 it appears that the two have reached an agreement for carriage through 2014. Click for more details. This seems par for the course for these types of disputes.
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Finally! After almost a year and a half since Montgomery locals were turned up on Direct. Picture quality is great. ...
I had no idea about this. Just had DirectTV installed yesterday and if WSFA isn’t on the dial, I’m going to take advantage of the 30 day return policy and (even though it sickens me to say this) stay with Charter. It’s bad enough that WCOV isn’t on there. According to information I got from WCOV recently, they’re trying to get around 50 cents per subscriber from DTV. Right now, they say most stations get about 19-20 cents per subscriber. As retransmission agreements expire with WAKA and WNCF, more contract wrangling is likely and some stations could “disappear” briefly. C’MON PEOPLE! Settle somewhere around 30 cents per subscriber and let us get back to enjoying the programming!
The stations are starting to get greedy and demand more from the dish companies. I think it has to do with the new law that requires the satellite providers to carry locals. It’s almost like blackmail.
Don’t cancel direcTV just yet. I think they will reach an agreement. Charter offers very little HD. They are a poorly run company.(at least at the local level)
After waiting for many months for Direct to start carrying Montgomery locals, this is starting to make me frustrated. First, they turn on everything EXCEPT WCOV. Now they’re arguing over retrans fees and threatening to cut off WSFA. I’ve had it with Direct. If they cut WSFA off, I’m cutting them off…for GOOD!
Merry Christmas everyone….except for you Direct!
Greed is driving all of these agreements. I find it interesting that WCOV isn’t on DirecTV yet all of their uplink equipment sits there on WCOV’s property (or so I was told by an engineering contact at 12). All high and mighty WSFA 12 News (and who came up with that slogan that they must repeat a million times a day?) should pay the viewers who have issues with OTA reception of their signal!
WSFA is really starting to annoy me with the scroll across the screen. I have Dish Network. Air your grievances with DirecTV somewhere else! I still expect a last-second resolution.
According to al.com (Google “WAFF DirecTV”), Raycom (the parent/owner of Montgomery’s WSFA and Huntsville’s WAFF) made a booboo this time around. DirecTV has come out and said that the contract between them (DTV) and Raycom automatically renewed because Raycom never provided the satellite company with notice to terminate the current contract. DirecTV is saying that the scroll bar and “warnings” are nothing but “scare tactics”. What a world we live in- the greed is bleeding through my TV screen!
I just found this on WSFA’s webpage.
Important notice for DirecTV subscribers
Important notice for DirecTV subscribers
DirecTV has refused Raycom’s offer to enter into a contract that would allow continued carriage of this station through June 2014. Raycom and DirecTV continue negotiations for carriage rights of this station on the DirecTV service.