[Vision2020] Time Warner Cable & KAYU

[Tom Hansen]

Speaking of switches, Saundra -

I have been a subscriber of cable television (Adelphia - Time/Warner) ever
since I moved to Moscow from Kellogg back in 1992.

I have had DirectTV installed as of 3:00 yesterday (12/20/2006) afternoon.
I subscribed to their Basic Plus package for $50.00 per month along with its
185 channels (including the NFL channel and my favorite shoe salesman, Al
Bundy, on Fox).

The NFL Channel will afford me an opportunity Saturday evening to watch the
Oakland Raiders lose to the Kansas City Chiefs (hopefully by less than six
points).

The only question I have is "Why didn't I switch over earlier?"

Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving
safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in
sideways, chocolate in one hand, a drink in the other, body thoroughly used
up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO HOO. What a ride!'"

-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
On Behalf Of Saundra Lund
Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2006 1:47 PM
To: 'Vision2020'
Subject: [Vision2020] Time Warner Cable & KAYU

For those who haven't see the following information . . . 

Has anyone tried the A/B switch?  I think in years past I used one, but I'm
not sure how that would work to get KAYU -- does anyone know?

Saundra Lund


http://www.timewarnercable.com/northwest/moscowkayu.html
"TO OUR VALUED CUSTOMERS

As you are aware, we were forced to stop providing KAYU programming to our
cable customers on December 14th, 2006.  My entire team and I sincerely
apologize for any inconvenience this situation has caused; we simply do not
have the legal right to carry the signal without KAYU's consent.  
 
KAYU is asking Time Warner Cable to pay for its signal. We believe that our
customers should not have to pay a special surcharge to see the programming
KAYU broadcasts via a public license obtained to serve the community
interest.  We want nothing more than to work towards a mutually beneficial
long-term agreement with KAYU and will continue to actively negotiate with
Northwest Broadcasting in the hope of returning this programming to our
customers.  
 
Customers with a high-speed internet connection can view some FOX
programming at www.myspace.com/fox.  

Time Warner Cable has always negotiated in good faith to ensure our
customers receive their favorite networks, uninterrupted.  We have
successfully done so with hundreds of broadcasters and cable networks across
the country.   

At Time Warner Cable, keeping our customers' bills as low as possible is a
primary focus. We are doing everything in our power to hold down the rate of
growth on our programming costs, which is the largest contributor to rate
increases.  This clearly is our goal as we continue negotiations with KAYU.

We are committed to helping our customers get through this situation as we
work toward a resolution.  We want to convey to you our sincerest
appreciation for your business.  

>From our Time Warner Cable family to yours, have a happy and safe holiday
season.


Deena Gibbs
General Manager
Time Warner Cable"


http://www.timewarnercable.com/northwest/kayufaqs.html
"KAYU Facts 

12/15/06 

At midnight on December 14, 2006, we were forced to stop providing KAYU
programming to our cable customers in Coeur d'Alene, Moscow/Pullman and
Libby.  Read more about this situation... 
. KAYU is asking for Time Warner Cable to pay for its signal. They get the
ability to carry the signal for free from the government, and anyone can get
this signal for free, over the air. Time Warner Cable customers should not
have to pay for something that can be received for free. We made several
offers to KAYU during these negotiations; as recently as yesterday we sent
another proposal. KAYU has rejected them all. 
. The owners of KAYU submitted a response to our most recent proposal. They
actually increased their demand by almost 400%. Clearly they are not seeking
to reach an agreement, and they are not concerned about their viewers. They
also refused our request for an extension so that we could continue to
negotiate. By refusing, KAYU has put our customers in the middle of this
dispute.  
. In the meantime, we are providing our customers with antennas and a/b
switches (in our Coeur d' Alene market) so that they can still watch this
programming over the air. The antennas and switches are being provided free
of charge. Customers can call 888-683-1000 to learn more. Unfortunately,
customers in our Libby, MT, Moscow, ID and Pullman WA systems probably
cannot pick KAYU up off air.  Customers with high-speed Internet access can
view some FOX programming at www.myspace.com/fox. 
. We are aware that this situation is occurring during the crucial time in
the Seahawks season. We apologize for any inconvenience this situation
causes, but we simply do not have the legal right to carry the signal
without KAYU's consent. 
. We have always negotiated in good faith to ensure our customers receive
their favorite networks, uninterrupted, and we successfully have negotiated
fair agreements with hundreds of broadcasters and cable networks across the
country to ensure uninterrupted programming. 
. Time Warner Cable wants nothing more than to work towards a mutually
beneficial long-term agreement. We will continue to actively negotiate with
KAYU, and we're also seeking alternative methods to bring you FOX
programming.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Why was KAYU dropped from the Time Warner Cable system? 
KAYU must give permission for Time Warner Cable to carry its programming. If
we don't agree to their demands, we are required by federal law to stop
carrying their programming. 

What are KAYU demands? 
KAYU is asking for Time Warner Cable to pay for its signal; a signal they
give away free over the air. Time Warner Cable 's position is that cable
customers should not be penalized for KAYU's insistence on getting paid to
stay on our cable system. Time Warner Cable made several offers to KAYU
during these negotiations; however, KAYU has rejected them all. 

How can I get Fox Network programming? 
In order to ensure you continue to receive KAYU until this situation is
resolved, Time Warner Cable is providing customers with a FREE A/B switch.
This equipment will allow you to continue to receive KAYU off-air with a
flip of a switch. Call 888-683-1000 to receive a free A/B switch. 

Who can I contact about this? 
Call KAYU directly at (509) 448-2828 or e-mail them at www.fox28spokane.com
under the contact section to tell them to negotiate in good faith with Time
Warner Cable in order to bring back the channel to Time Warner Cable's line
up. 

What is a "retransmission agreement?" 
The Federal government gives television stations the right to grant or deny
permission for cable systems to carry or "retransmit" their signals. 

With KAYU removed from the lineup, what will replace it? 
We are exploring the best programming solutions to continue to provide
customers with the superb programming choices you've come to expect. 

With KAYU isn't on the lineup any more, can you get another FOX Channel to
replace it? 
We hope to be able to come to an agreement with KAYU shortly. When a station
does goes away in situations like this, it is not be Time Warner's decision,
it is the decision of the station. We of course will explore all programming
options to provide our customer with as much programming choice as possible.


Where can I get updates on this negotiations? 
For updates on this situation, check back with this Website.  


=======================================================
 List services made available by First Step Internet, 
 serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.   
               http://www.fsr.net                       
          mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
=======================================================