Dyersburg State Gazette: Local News: Agreement nears between CableOne, Newport (WPTY, WLMT return to local channel lineup) (02/17/09)

Local Memphis affiliates WPTY and WLMT of Memphis quietly returned to the CableOne lineup this weekend.

Located on channels 2 and 9 on the local menu, the stations were dropped by Cable One at midnight, Feb. 4, due to a failure in negotiations with Newport Television Broadcasting Corp.

Representatives of CableOne reported Newport's requested fees for a retransmission negotiation rate were excessive for channels previously offered without a charge to the cable provider. Newport representatives said the fees were in line with those allowed by the Federal government and not denied by other cable companies.

The loss, shortly after CableOne's decision to drop WPSD in Paducah and KFVS in Cape Girardeau, eliminated coverage of the Southeastern basketball and football conferences for subscribers to local cable, a move that upset many local customers. Other complaints included losing the CW network and other channels without compensation.

CableOne customers reported the channels reappearing on Saturday, Feb. 14, a move Newport Television Vice President and attorney Michael DiPasquale said reveals how close the two parties have come to reaching an agreement.

"We do not have a deal yet, but we are confident we will have one by the end of the week," said DiPasquale. "We value viewership of everyone in Dyersburg and the rest of the county."

"We are really excited that we were able to work something out and come up with an agreement," said CableOne Director of Communications Melany Stroupe of the Phoenix office. "I really can't discuss details of the agreement. But, like I said, we are pleased to be able to return those channels to Dyersburg and, obviously, to the rest of our systems that lost channels. We returned those channels, as well."

I was giving it a few weeks (since the CW is in reruns) to see if they were to get the channels back. Losing the CW was not something I wanted so I was starting to research other avenues for Cable. I hope they do reach an agreement and we can keep those channels. Otherwise I will most definitely change my provider. I don't fault those that work at Cableone, they have always been helpful to me, but I have to have my CW!! lol

-- Posted by Take_Me_crsly on Tue, Feb 17, 2009, at 12:44 PM

I watch several CW shows as well, but I'm really missing Maury!!!

-- Posted by whatdoIknow on Tue, Feb 17, 2009, at 1:09 PM

Since we had these channels, then lost these channels for a period of time, then got them back. Should the customers of cableone expect a slight reduction in their bill this month? Come on city fathers. Someone needs to put their fist into this problem and get some results. Enough is enough.

-- Posted by Bek1 on Tue, Feb 17, 2009, at 6:56 PM

In the past when there was a cable problem I noticed that I got a credit on my next bill. Who knows, they may decide to do that. We only lost those 3 channels for a little over a week, how much of a discount can you really expect??

-- Posted by Take_Me_crsly on Tue, Feb 17, 2009, at 7:00 PM

how many switched to directv in last month? lost taxes to the city?

-- Posted by jscott on Wed, Feb 18, 2009, at 6:24 AM

does anybody else have problems with the sound on ch 7 ? thats why i turn to ch2 . thanks for bringing it back. i was looking for a solution, glad i didnt have to change providers.

-- Posted by YA DONT SAY on Wed, Feb 18, 2009, at 7:31 AM

THANK YOU FOR BRINGING BACK CH"S 2 & 9. I do appreciate it.

-- Posted by Mamarose3 on Wed, Feb 18, 2009, at 8:41 AM

Now, some progress in the making. Thanks, Cable One for bringing back two of the channels that you took away. I really did miss CW. Is it asking too much to bring back KFVS-TV, since WREG does not have a clear picture? Does anyone else have that problem?

-- Posted by TN Blues on Wed, Feb 18, 2009, at 9:14 AM

For real LOL Clark is about to tell Louis his Secret VIVA la CW lol

-- Posted by RandomX on Wed, Feb 18, 2009, at 2:25 PM

Well folks some fell for the ole swich and bait again. How long do you think that it will be before Cableone comes up with another sceme to fleese Dyersburg?When will this town really wake up and demand something for their money. Oh ye with alot of faith. People get ready for another round.

I watched Cable tv today and it is still pathetic to watch. There is no way I would pay for this kind of service. Did you notice all the Direct TV trucks this week? Some people woke up. Our leaders are not going to make Cable responsible. Aneas phone and internet are adveretising in Dyersburg now. There are other reliable sources out there to consider. All I can say is once you try Direct , there is no turning back. All their channels are crystal clear and is no higher than Cable. Better Git Er Done.

-- Posted by feels the hurt on Wed, Feb 18, 2009, at 8:36 PM

I got dish network this weekend and a dvr/w Hd. Cableone your losing bussiness fast. Anyone want it I have a gift card for dish for 99.00 I will give away.

-- Posted by obi1mobster on Thu, Feb 19, 2009, at 7:22 AM

Don't worry ExPat I don't think any of them could put up with you for 10 minutes much less the time it takes to watch a TV show.

-- Posted by iseestupidpeople on Fri, Feb 20, 2009, at 11:26 AM

i am glad i don't own stock in cable t.v. in 10 years they will be as out of date as 8-track tape players.

if you go to satalite you will really be pleased you did, and sorry you waited so long!

-- Posted by jaydwain on Fri, Feb 20, 2009, at 8:26 PM