by HN Porter of tech4today.net
Due to a contract standoff between Charter Spectrum (internet and cable TV provider) and the Tribune Media broadcast group millions of Spectrum TV subscribers have lost local channels in New York, Los Angeles, Denver, St. Louis and 20 other markets. A total of 33 Tribune stations will go ark and Spectrum TV customers will not have access to it until the two companies reach an agreement on how much Spectrum should pay Tribune for the rights to distribute its programming.
The blackout affected at least 6 million of Charter Spectrum's TV customers across the country after the contract between Charter Spectrum and Tribune expired on January 2 at 5 pm ET.
Content such as NFL playoff games or local news, will be unavailable to customers until the dispute between the two parties is resolved.
So far Spectrum says Tribune isn't being reasonable in its demands for higher fees, as it's more than double what they pay today for the same programming.
Tribune says it's offered Spectrum "fair market rates" for its top-rated local programming, and "similarly fair rates" for its cable network, WGN America,” but it's unclear what those rates are.
“We’ve offered Spectrum fair market rates for our top-rated local news, live sports, and high-quality entertainment programming, and similarly fair rates for our cable network, WGN America,” Gary Weitman, Tribune Media’s senior vice president for corporate relations, said in a statement. “Spectrum has refused our offer and failed to negotiate in a meaningful fashion.”
Over the years, the number of TV blackouts has increased with some proving to be permant. Dish customers, for example, still can't access Univision and HBO after months-long blackouts.
Number of TV Blackouts Over the Years:
2018: 140 blackouts
2017: 213 blackouts
2016: 104 blackouts
2015: 193 blackouts
2014: 94 blackouts
2013: 119 blackouts
2012: 90 blackouts
2011: 42 blackouts
2010: 8 blackouts
source: BUSINESSINSIDER
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