Time Warner Cable Nears Retrans Deal With Meredith

Avoids blackout in Kansas City, Nashville and Springfield, Mass.

By Mike Farrell, Multichannel News -- Broadcasting & Cable, 7/26/2012 11:54:11 AM

Shortly before its television stations in three markets were set to go dark on Time Warner Cable systems in Kansas City, Mo.; Nashville, Tenn.; and Springfield, Mass, Meredith Corp. granted the MSO an extension and the two sides are close to a deal.

The Meredith stations - KCTV-CBS and KSMO-MyNetworkTV in Kansas City, WSHM-CBS in Springfield; and WSMV-NBC in Nashville were scheduled to go dark at 11:59 p.m. on July 25. Time Warner Cable said that it had an agreement in principal with Meredith and is currently operating under an extension through July 31. The MSO said it hoped to reach a deal soon.

"We thank our customers for their patience," Time Warner Cable said in a statement.

On its website, KCTV was a little more optimistic, stating that it had reached a deal with the MSO late Wednesday night.

"KCTV5 and KSMO will continue to broadcast to all of our viewers without any interruptions, the station said on its website. "We appreciate your patience, but more importantly, we are happy you'll be able to continue to watch all your favorite CBS and syndicated programs, plus local sports, as well as KCTV5 News without any interruptions."