Verizon FiOS customers in Rhode Island and Massachusetts

[MaryAnnDVC]

Just an FYI, if you haven't heard:

http://www2.turnto10.com/online/dont_drop_wjar/

ALERT!

Attention Verizon FiOS customers in Rhode Island and Massachusetts!
Verizon will drop NBC 10 on Jan. 1, 2012.

That means you'll miss some of your favorite programs including NBC 10 local news, "Today", NBC's primetime and NFL football.

We regret that Verizon FiOS viewers will not be able to watch NBC 10 as they usually do, but there are cable and satellite providers, and NBC 10 is free over the air.

1. Will viewers still be able to watch WJAR / NBC 10.1 and Me-TV 10.2 after it is no longer available on Verizon FiOS?
Yes, after December 31st, most viewers will be able to receive the station in HD for free by using a basic over-the-air antenna. In addition viewers will continue to be able to receive WJAR from DirecTV, Dish Network, and essentially all other local cable operators.

2. What is the dispute between WJAR / NBC 10 and Verizon FiOS over?
WJAR negotiates agreements with cable companies like Verizon FiOS that bring our signal into your home. Usually, these deals are reached without any disruption to your service. Unfortunately, so far Verizon FiOS has refused to reach a fair, market-based deal to carry WJAR. By law, the deadline for reaching an agreement is 11:59 p.m. EST on December 31, 2011. If no deal is reached by the deadline, at midnight January 1, 2012, you could lose the shows, sports and local news you rely on and which you are paying for.

 

[sam_gordon]

Can I jump in and say this is all about money?

WJAR wants to get money from Verizon because Verizon is benefitting by including them in the cable lineup.
Verizon wants money because they don't want to pay WJAR whatever WJAR wants to charge (but they'll keep charging the customers).

The only thing that's in dispute is how much is acceptable to both parties. I'm willing to wager this will be cleared up before NYE. There will be some compromise.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Can I jump in and say this is all about money?

WJAR wants to get money from Verizon because Verizon is benefitting by including them in the cable lineup.
Verizon wants money because they don't want to pay WJAR whatever WJAR wants to charge (but they'll keep charging the customers).

The only thing that's in dispute is how much is acceptable to both parties. I'm willing to wager this will be cleared up before NYE. There will be some compromise.

This.

DH said the same thing. I hope they clear it up. But if they don't, I bet there are going to be some unhappy (and surprised, if they don't know about it) people out there on January 1.

I already don't love FIOS. I wish we never switched over.

 

[happily single]

I'm going to come right out and admit I know nothing about the dispute, other than the obvious-its about money. However, I first learned about this dispute via "Breaking news" on turnto10.com which is the local news station's website. Then I saw a commerical from Channel 10. I have to say I'm actually kinda upset with Channel 10. I feel as though they are trying to strong=arm Verizon into doing what Channel 10 wants.

Again, I know nothing about the dispute nor who is "at fault" but I have a very bad taste in my mouth with the way I feel Channel 10 is handling the situation.

 

[sam_gordon]

Here's both sides of the issue (as I understand them)

Station Viewpoint
Cable provider shows us on their basic package. It's a selling point for them. They make money because we are on there. We should get some of that money.

Cable/Satellite Providers Viewpoint
We spent money on infrastructure to carry the local broadcaster. If it wasn't for us, the local broadcaster wouldn't be seen in as many homes. We deserve the money.

IMO, both sides are correct. What it comes down to is how much per viewer needs to be shared with the local broadcaster. It's negotiation. What local broadcasters want by running these kinds of ads is for subscribers to call their provider and say "we want to keep station 'wzzz'."

BUT, satellite/cable providers ALSO run ads, trying to sway viewers to call the local broadcaster and say "you shouldn't be asking for so much money."

If I had to guess, we're talking <$1 per subscriber per month. But I don't know where a good breaking point is.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I'm going to come right out and admit I know nothing about the dispute, other than the obvious-its about money. However, I first learned about this dispute via "Breaking news" on turnto10.com which is the local news station's website. Then I saw a commerical from Channel 10. I have to say I'm actually kinda upset with Channel 10. I feel as though they are trying to strong=arm Verizon into doing what Channel 10 wants.

Again, I know nothing about the dispute nor who is "at fault" but I have a very bad taste in my mouth with the way I feel Channel 10 is handling the situation.

But some would argue why isn't Verizon Fios informing us? And why shouldn't Channel 10 let they're viewers know that in a few days, we might not have access to their channel? SOMEONE has to tell us! I get breaking new emails from Channel 10, and that's how I found out. I would not know otherwise.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Can I jump in and say this is all about money?

WJAR wants to get money from Verizon because Verizon is benefitting by including them in the cable lineup.

Verizon wants money because they don't want to pay WJAR whatever WJAR wants to charge (but they'll keep charging the customers).

The only thing that's in dispute is how much is acceptable to both parties. I'm willing to wager this will be cleared up before NYE. There will be some compromise.

How much did you wager? You won!

Published online Dec 30, 2011
WJAR and Verizon resolve fee dispute

 

[Uncle Remus]

How much did you wager? You won!

Published online Dec 30, 2011
WJAR and Verizon resolve fee dispute

I'm surprised they didn't wait until tomorrow.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I'm surprised they didn't wait until tomorrow.

No one wants to work tomorrow.

 

[Uncle Remus]

No one wants to work tomorrow.

Oh yeah, I forgot. Every year Direct TV has some kinda dispute with some favored channel that puts us in a slight uproar. I've learned they generally resolve it 'n inch the bill up some other way. I suspect we'll all get bills some day that just say "hidden fee" 'n we'll pay extra if we want an explanation for the "hidden fee."