Sizmasta
01-10-2011, 04:00 AM
Credit to fatone147
Washington, D.C. (January 2, 2011) -- At midnight on New Year's Eve, roughly 100 channels were scheduled to go dark unless certain TV providers made new programming deals with the channels' owners.
Fortunately, as the clock struck 12, most of the channels remained on the air -- for now, anyway. New agreements were not reached in some cases, but the two parties agreed to keep the channels on the air while they continued to negotiate past the deadline.
So, where's your favorite channel? And how safe is it today? Here's a quick summary of the major New Year's Eve showdowns and how they were resolved -- or, again, in some cases, resolved to be resolved later.
DIRECTV vs. Comcast-owned Golf Channel
The satcaster was scheduled to lose the HD and SD signals for the Golf Channel at midnight on January 1. But while the channel is still on the air, DIRECTV and Comcast have yet to comment on whether a deal was completed. At DIRECTV's web site, the company says it's still negotiating with Comcast. So it appears that the two companies have agreed to keep the channel on the air for now while talks continue.
Dish Network vs. Comcast-owned E!, Style Channels
Likewise, Comcast was set to pull the two entertainment channels from Dish's lineup on January 1. But the two companies announced they will keep talking -- and keep the channels on the air for now. The new deadline was not revealed, but the companies said it was a "short term" extension.
Time Warner Cable vs. Sinclair's Local Channels
The two companies agreed to move their Jan. 1 deadline to Jan. 14. Meanwhile, while the talking goes on, the cable operator can continue to carry Sinclair's local channels.
DIRECTV vs. Hearst's Local Channels
On Dec. 30, DIRECTV and Hearst Television agreed on a new programming pact that will keep 30 Hearst-owned local channels available to the satcaster's subscribers; the old agreement was set to expire on Jan. 1.
DIRECTV vs. Raycom's Local Channels
DIRECTV apparently has yet to sign a new deal with Raycom Media, which owns roughly 40 local TV channels. The satcaster hasn't commented, but KOLD-TV and a few other Raycom channels have posted notices at their web site saying they have signed a new pact but they haven't received the signed agreement back from DIRECTV. Meanwhile, DIRECTV is still carrying the Raycom channels so the two sides are likely close to wrapping this up.
DIRECTV vs. Northwest's Local Channels
The satcaster lost the right to carry Northwest Broadcasting's local stations in Binghamton, New York, Medford, Oregon, Yakima, Washington and Spokane, Washington when the it failed to reach a new pact with Northwest. DIRECTV blasted Northwest, claiming it's asking for an outrageous increase. But Northwest says it's merely seeking the market rate.
Suddenlink vs. Viacom
The small cable operator Suddenlink reached a new agreement with Viacom's suite of channels, which includes MTV, VH1 and many others
Washington, D.C. (January 2, 2011) -- At midnight on New Year's Eve, roughly 100 channels were scheduled to go dark unless certain TV providers made new programming deals with the channels' owners.
Fortunately, as the clock struck 12, most of the channels remained on the air -- for now, anyway. New agreements were not reached in some cases, but the two parties agreed to keep the channels on the air while they continued to negotiate past the deadline.
So, where's your favorite channel? And how safe is it today? Here's a quick summary of the major New Year's Eve showdowns and how they were resolved -- or, again, in some cases, resolved to be resolved later.
DIRECTV vs. Comcast-owned Golf Channel
The satcaster was scheduled to lose the HD and SD signals for the Golf Channel at midnight on January 1. But while the channel is still on the air, DIRECTV and Comcast have yet to comment on whether a deal was completed. At DIRECTV's web site, the company says it's still negotiating with Comcast. So it appears that the two companies have agreed to keep the channel on the air for now while talks continue.
Dish Network vs. Comcast-owned E!, Style Channels
Likewise, Comcast was set to pull the two entertainment channels from Dish's lineup on January 1. But the two companies announced they will keep talking -- and keep the channels on the air for now. The new deadline was not revealed, but the companies said it was a "short term" extension.
Time Warner Cable vs. Sinclair's Local Channels
The two companies agreed to move their Jan. 1 deadline to Jan. 14. Meanwhile, while the talking goes on, the cable operator can continue to carry Sinclair's local channels.
DIRECTV vs. Hearst's Local Channels
On Dec. 30, DIRECTV and Hearst Television agreed on a new programming pact that will keep 30 Hearst-owned local channels available to the satcaster's subscribers; the old agreement was set to expire on Jan. 1.
DIRECTV vs. Raycom's Local Channels
DIRECTV apparently has yet to sign a new deal with Raycom Media, which owns roughly 40 local TV channels. The satcaster hasn't commented, but KOLD-TV and a few other Raycom channels have posted notices at their web site saying they have signed a new pact but they haven't received the signed agreement back from DIRECTV. Meanwhile, DIRECTV is still carrying the Raycom channels so the two sides are likely close to wrapping this up.
DIRECTV vs. Northwest's Local Channels
The satcaster lost the right to carry Northwest Broadcasting's local stations in Binghamton, New York, Medford, Oregon, Yakima, Washington and Spokane, Washington when the it failed to reach a new pact with Northwest. DIRECTV blasted Northwest, claiming it's asking for an outrageous increase. But Northwest says it's merely seeking the market rate.
Suddenlink vs. Viacom
The small cable operator Suddenlink reached a new agreement with Viacom's suite of channels, which includes MTV, VH1 and many others