Sunbeam Stations Dark For DirecTV Subs
Miami Fox, Boston NBC -- and NFL playoff viewing affected in retrans stalemate
By Michael Malone -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/15/2012 11:26:33 AM
Sunbeam Television's WSVN Miami and WHDH-WLVI Boston have gone dark for DirecTV subscribers as the broadcaster and satellite TV operator have failed to reach a retransmission consent agreement.
WSVN is a Fox affiliate, WHDH is an NBC, and WLVI is a CW outlet.
DirecTV subscribers in these markets have had to make other accommodations to watch some NFL playoff games, including the 49ers-Saints contest January 14, and Giants-Packers Jan. 15.
"There is always one outlier, like Sunbeam, who has no problem committing an unthinkable abuse of the public trust in an effort to shake down an excessive financial arrangement for themselves," said Derek Chang, executive vice president of programming for DirecTV. "We have no problem compensating Sunbeam fairly, but we have to take a stand against runaway greed and a shameless attempt to extort a more than 300% fee increase that our customers risk having to absorb."
The WHDH site says: "Sunbeam Television Corporation, the parent company of WHDH-TV Channel 7 and WLVI Channel 56, could not come to an agreement regarding a renewal of its carriage agreement with DirecTV. As of now, you will not be able to view WHDH and WLVI on DirecTV, but you can receive Channel 7 and Channel 56 over the air and from other cable and satellite providers."
A report on WSVN quotes general manager Robert Leider saying Sunbeam seeks fair market value for its signal, and that DirecTV's claims of "greed and extortion are outrageous."
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sundeam was under the impression that they could
blackmail direct tv in paying 300%,which is crazy
since the government did away with the analog tv transmission and forced digital down everyones throat
the coverage is about 40% ,when it is raining and snowing the signal sucks,so the over the air signal is great if you are a line of sight to the transmitter antenna but if you are more then 25 miles your screwed
David Goodwin - 1/27/2012 1:50:00 PM EST -
So let me get this straight, no SUPERBOWL for Boston this yr; really??? Have you considered that if we the people decide to receive an over-the-air digital signal, is simple. How will you make your money then??? For those who would lite this option, is simple. Turn off your receiver and switch the channel on your actual television, If you have a newer digital television set, usually the antenna is built right in. We once used this method, why not returning to it. Yes, the clarity may not be the same but at least we don't get bullied by big Co. trying to make a buck.
Vanessa Soto - 1/26/2012 9:24:55 AM EST -
sunbeam i plan to find out what other companies and products you own I will boycott each and every one of them I also plan to dump diretv. Being a consumer i can and will stop buying every product you own I also plan on dumping diretv also. There is to much competion for me to allow scum like you to deprive me of my entertainment
mike towne - 1/26/2012 2:13:02 AM EST -
Sunbeam you should have consideration for your viewers and allow programs to be aired while your dealings with directv are ongoing as it is it appears you have no feelings for viewers but are acting out of pure greed shame on your directors
Francis Eaton - 1/25/2012 10:10:12 AM EST -
So what is the plan for the Super Bowl in less than two weeks? The Patriots are in it and I want to watch it. So what do you plan to do?
John Matthews - 1/23/2012 9:17:23 PM EST
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