Dish Network Corp. and LIN TV have reached a retransmission consent accord for TV stations owned or operated by the group in 17 markets.
The retransmission deal, terms of which were not disclosed, calls for Dish to carry both the standard- and high-definition feeds of the stations. In 2007, LIN collected some $14.4 million in retransmission consent revenue last year.
In addition, Dish and LIN have struck a new marketing and promotional pact whereby the parties will encourage viewers to switch to the satellite provider if the station group’s holdings are removed from cable systems. .
Further, the companies will educate consumers and build awareness of the upcoming digital transition on Feb. 17, 2009 by providing information about switching requirements and digital-to-analog converter boxes. Dish offers a government coupon-eligible digital-to-analog converter box that retails at $39.99 and is essentially free to consumers with the coupon.
The retransmission agreement includes: KASA-TV and KRQE-TV (Albuquerque); KXAN-TV and KNVA-TV (Austin, Tex.); WIVB-TV and WNLO-TV (Buffalo, N.Y.); WWHO-TV (Columbus, Ohio); WDTN-TV (Dayton, Ohio); WANE-TV (Ft. Wayne, Ind.); WOOD-TV and WOTV-TV (Grand Rapids, Mich.); WLUK-TV (Green Bay, Wisx.); WTNH-TV and WCTX-TV (Hartford-New Haven); WISH-TV and WNDY-TV (Indianapolis); WLFI-TV (Lafayette, La.); WALA-TV and WBPG-TV (Mobile, Ala.); WAVY-TV and WVBT-TV (Norfolk, Va.); WPRI-TV and WNAC-TV (Providence,); WWLP-TV (Springfield, Mass,); WTHI-TV (Terre Haute, Ind.) and WUPW-TV (Toledo, Ohio).
