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Dish Network, Raycom Media cut a deal and turn TV stations back on in 36 markets
A retransmission fee battle between Dish Network and Raycom Media cut off the satellite company's broadcasts of network affiliates in 36 markets at the beginning of this month, but it's finally over. A press release from Dish Network indicates they have reached an agreement and affected stations will be restored overnight. There's no word on exactly what the terms of the new deal are, but we'll probably have a better idea when the next round of rate hikes arrives. That's one battle down, now we'll wait to see if CBS and Time Warner Cable can find some middle ground.
TV broadcasters hope to dominate the second screen with ConnecTV
No one has quite figured it out yet, but there seems to be little doubt that tablet devices have their place on the couch to serve as a second screen while Americans enjoy their favorite past time -- watching TV. In addition to many independent startups we've discussed in the past, the old guard, that already owns most of broadcast TV stateside, has a startup of its own called ConnecTV. In development for two years already, ConnecTV is currently in beta and has the hopes to go live in January. The idea is of course to put what you might want to see on your second screen while you watch the main action on the big screen. This includes sports scores, statistics, as well as what your friends may or may-not be saying on Twitter or Facebook -- and of course advertising. We'd be shocked if most tablet owners weren't already using their slate in front of the TV and can imagine how many more might if there was a great app that brought it all together.
2011 retransmission dispute roundup: which channels may go dark at midnight
It's a yearly thing, with contracts between TV stations and pay-TV providers due to expire just as the ball drops for the New Year it's increasingly hard to tell which channels will still be around when 2011 dawns. Check out our list below to see which ones are on the chopping block and which ones have already reached a new agreement this time around. If you spot any we've missed let us know in the comments or if there are any last minute reprieves, updates or extensions. Update: Moved Suddenlink/Viacom, Time Warner/Sinclair to resolved Expiring at midnight: Dish Network vs. E!, Style -- Dish Network and Comcast are negotiating over the networks, with a contract expiring at midnight. Dish and Comcast are also fighting over Comcast SportsNet California, which has been off the air since November 24 Resolved: Hearst vs. DirecTV - Covering 29 stations across the country including CBS, ABC and CW affiliates Insight vs. Raycom - Three stations in Louisville, Evansville and Cincinnati Suddenlink vs. Viacom - Not only will Suddenlink keep Viacom stations like MTV, VH1 and Spike, but it will also be adding EPIX "in the next few months," without raising its subscribers rates Time Warner Cable vs. Sinclair Broadcast Group -- Sinclair owns ABC, CBS, Fox, CW, MyNetworkTV and NBC affiliates in 35 markets which it will pull at midnight including San Antonio, Pittsburgh and Tampa. Time Warner claims it will still be able to provide programming from the "Big 4" networks in those areas without Sinclair, although viewers may miss their local news stations -- This isn't fully resolved, but negotiations have been extended until January 14th. Details here.
Mobile DTV gains national mobile content service, broadcast group support
If there's one thing a fledgling technology needs, it's good marketing. That aside, the next most vital thing is industry support. Today, an even dozen broadcast groups have banded together in order to back the soon-to-launch Mobile DTV format (ATSC-M/H), with Belo, Cox, E.W. Scripps, Fox, Gannett, Hearst, ION, Media General, Meredith, NBC, Post-Newsweek and Raycom forming a joint venture to develop a "new national mobile content service." The service will utilize the broadcast spectrum already set aside in order to allow member companies to "provide content to mobile devices, including live and on-demand video, local and national news from print and electronic sources, as well as sports and entertainment programming." That's pretty big news for a tech that's been struggling to gain acceptance in America, and if all goes to plan, Washington, DCers will get a chance to indulge first when it goes live in the nation's capitol on May 3rd. A showcase on that date will demonstration a Mobile DTV-capable Samsung Moment and Dell Mini 10 (amongst others), though we're still having a tough time digging up firm pricing for any of those. Get ready, folks -- Pimp My Ride is about to get a huge second wind.
Raycom airing all SEC football, select basketball games in HD
Well, wouldn't you know it? After assuming that Raycom would follow in the footsteps of the ESPN networks and FSN, along comes a tipster to show that said network already has upped its commitment to HD. This season, Raycom has promised to deliver every single one of its SEC football matchups in high-definition, while "most" of the SEC basketball tilts will also air in HD later this year. Granted, we haven't heard anything further about how it'll handle ACC battles, but we can only hope it treats both conferences similarly.[Thanks, David]
ACC brings its HD A-game to the tournament
Pundits may be calling men's basketball in the ACC "weaker" this year than in the past, but the conference will be bringing the HD to you strong during its tournament. Between Raycom, ESPN and ESPN2, all the conference tournament games will be available in HD. This is a great way to start off the season that is March Madness, so consult the listing of local Raycom affiliates and the ACC Tournament schedule after the break and start planning your "sick" days early, folks!
Raycom serving up select ACC men's basketball games in HD
For fans of the Atlantic Coast Conference, catching the ACC Tournament last year in high-definition was a treat. Thankfully, Raycom Sports will be blessing fans with more of the same this year, but it seems we won't have to wait until March to indulge. According to a sponsorship opportunity found on the company's website, four regular season matchups will be broadcast in HD along with every second of the 2008 ACC Tourney in Charlotte, North Carolina. Kicking things off on January 31st will be the Wolfpack from NC State taking on Duke in Cameron Indoor Stadium, while the Blue Devils head down to Chapel Hill on February 6th to tangle with the Tar Heels. On February 9th, NC State will meet up with Maryland and on February 12th, UNC will head to Virginia to play the Cavaliers. For a complete listing of regions where these games can be seen, check out the read link below. [Thanks, WallyB]
