Dish-Turner Dispute Knocks Peachtree off Air
No WPCH for Dish's Atlanta subscribers
By Michael Malone -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/27/2012 2:59:58 PM
Dish Network's contract to carry WPCH Atlanta has expired, knocking "Peachtree TV" off the air in the market for the satellite TV provider's customers.
Meredith's WGCL Atlanta took over the day to day affairs at WPCH last year. Formerly WTBS, WPCH is an independent station and is owned by Turner Broadcasting System. Popular shows include Big Bang Theory, The Office and Meet the Browns, as well as SEC sports.
"We are disappointed in the outcome of our negotiations, especially since we have successfully reached agreements with every major cable and satellite company that recognizes our fair market value," said Kirk Black, Meredith senior VP and WGCL's GM. "The fact is that we are only asking Dish Network for pennies a day from your bill for our programming. Without fair and equitable treatment, local TV stations will not be able to continue to provide top quality news, sports, entertainment, and other local programming that is most important to [subscribers]."
Dish countered that Turner had been "neither fair nor reasonable" in negotiations.
"Turner is making outrageous demands in exchange for Dish Network's ability to continue providing that channel to Dish customers," said Dish. "We are determined to hold the line against unreasonable costs, so that we can protect our customers against the same. Management at WPCH describes its request as simply ‘pennies per day,' but that's like demanding $12 for a gallon of milk and then claiming it is only ‘pennies per sip.' Those costs add up in a hurry."
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Funny. I have lived in Atlanta for 38 years. I remember Ch17 from the early days. The last few years are like a blur regarding 'local programming' With over 250 stations via cable/satellite, I forgot ch17 even existed anymore....they don't show anything no other 249 channels broadcast.
Gino Cortellino - 2/7/2012 6:15:07 AM EST -
What's the big deal. I get WPCH plus all of the major Atlanta network stations and another bunch of local low power TV stations for FREE. Yes; over-the-air free television is available via that forgotten device called, "the TV antenna"! Best of all, the HD uncompressed picture quality blows away cable and satellite.
Bob Barkman - 2/1/2012 1:34:36 AM EST -
Asking for more? Hah! I took one look at their schedule. WPCH-TV is no different than most other independent/CW/MyTV stations out there. I can get just about all these shows in Washington. I know, apples to oranges, but same goes for the national TBS, with a few exceptions (although they're relegated to the early morning hours). The one-or-two star movies they show don't help, either.
Cable networks used to be known for their distinctive programming. Now it's "watch all your favorite shows at a different time on four different channels."
Joseph Kristoff - 1/30/2012 8:09:26 AM EST -
"Local programming?" What? Where? Who? When? The closest thing we have to "local programming" in Atlanta is the news
Matthew Lewis - 1/30/2012 7:07:28 AM EST -
this is disapointing that greed in a hard time to this level is happening.i am personally researching everything i can on both parties as i give them my hard earned money every month.a change may happen depending on what i learn,there are too many things we can choose from in this life to cater to people like this!god i need to get a life!!!!
tom thompson - 1/28/2012 10:48:25 AM EST
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