Comcast is Dumping Antenna TV - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

PaperClips · 12-10-2022, 01:40 PM

That's an odd channel to dump - it has to be dirt-cheap. All they do is run commercials with a few minutes of show in between.

TJ · 12-10-2022, 01:49 PM

They aren't dropping it nationwide. I think it's only in the NY/NJ area due to a contract/carriage dispute. Antenna TV is still available on Comcast in Atlanta.

https://www.dslreports.com/forum/r33...and-Antenna-TV

PaperClips · 12-10-2022, 02:01 PM

Might be the east coast - it is getting dropped in MD and DC

GentlemanJim · 12-10-2022, 02:29 PM

The "Carriage Dispute" is an interesting aspect of entertainment industry. Locally we have diginets for METV and Comet, but our local cable operator refuses to carry them.
Personally. I'd think if I was operating a local METV franchise, and was selling advertising time on it, I'd be just thrilled that a local cable operator wanted to send my signal into even more living rooms. Charging them a fee for expanding my marketing reach seems counter-intuitive. But, I guess that's why I am not a media mogul? I lack the "kill" instinct.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carriage_dispute

TVFactFan · 12-10-2022, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaperClips

That's an odd channel to dump - it has to be dirt-cheap. All they do is run commercials with a few minutes of show in between.

WOW, I wonder why? Damm that is huge news

PaperClips · 12-10-2022, 03:13 PM

I don't have Comcast - I use an antenna and a Roku, the only way I know this is I was watching an Antenna TV show and they run a crawler every so often saying they are getting kicked off of Comcast and to complain.

merlinjones · 12-10-2022, 03:37 PM

Get a digital antenna -- the broadcast picture is better than cable for many of these diginets anyway (at least in my area)

TVFactFan · 12-10-2022, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by merlinjones

Get a digital antenna -- the broadcast picture is better than cable for many of these diginets anyway (at least in my area)

Every area is different, one thing about Comcast you never have to adjust the antenna TV to get a signal

PaperClips · 12-10-2022, 04:23 PM

Yeah but you have to paya lot of money and good luck with customer service. My service went out 3 days ago - I run a small business and need it for their internet. 2 days of remote tests and hours and hours on the phone and dragging their heels on sending a tech, gave up. T-Mobile sent a box, next day, which took about 5 minutes to set up, better speeds than comcast. No more wires. No more Comcast.

Also, their customer service is off-shore - if something goes wrong, good luck communicating. There is a reason people hate Comcast.

GentlemanJim · 12-10-2022, 05:02 PM

Strictly as a coincidence, I am sure, but today when accessing the website of my local CBS affiliate, the following big banner was front row, center.

https://i.imgur.com/frt0wfP.png

I believe that these little spats are often just a fruit of posturing and opportunity. AKA the standard agreement is up for renewal (as all contracts eventually are) and the involved parties are just trying to provoke the locals to try and leverage their positions.

If the above threat carrys out, I guess we stand to lose Laff as well as one of the crime/court channels as well as the CBS main.

What we don't know, is where the friction is being originated. Is Comcast getting greedy? Or is it the over the air content provider trying to put the squeeze on Comcast?
Never underestimate anybody.

One thing I AM sure of, if the stand-off blossoms into an outright boycott, Comcast will not discount the prices they charge me for the content they will be discontinuing. They'll just try to sweep it under the carpet with some lame explanation that as a result of the savings, they will not have to RAISE my price as soon as they otherwise might have to. Same crud they pulled when they clipped TCM and put on in pay tier with a bunch of channels that I'd never watch

icecream · 12-10-2022, 06:56 PM

Comcast would not drop Antenna TV nationwide. Your affiliate might have changed to a different diginet.

icecream · 12-10-2022, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GentlemanJim

The "Carriage Dispute" is an interesting aspect of entertainment industry. Locally we have diginets for METV and Comet, but our local cable operator refuses to carry them.
Personally. I'd think if I was operating a local METV franchise, and was selling advertising time on it, I'd be just thrilled that a local cable operator wanted to send my signal into even more living rooms. Charging them a fee for expanding my marketing reach seems counter-intuitive. But, I guess that's why I am not a media mogul? I lack the "kill" instinct.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carriage_dispute

Our local operator should be ashamed of themselves. MeTV is one of the most widely carried diginets, several other cities with them are put on Comcast. I have heard we also get Cozi locally but that is another one our horrible operator refuses to carry.

i29u · 12-10-2022, 09:55 PM

Notice how the TV station gives the Comcast number but not the number of WANE-TV parent company Nexstar-545 E John Carpenter Freeway Suite 700. Irving, TX 75062. PHONE (972) 373-8800. FAX (972) 373-8888. 685 3rd Avenue 31st Floor. Usually the TV station parent company is to blame, wanting more money; if you think that is true in this case, you should direct your complaints to Nexstar.

GentlemanJim · 12-10-2022, 10:37 PM

The concepts of "Right to carry" vs "Must carry" are interesting too.

I think one of the big issues with the diginets is that the cable operator gets little to no chance to insert their own advertising, (when the source is a local over the air broadcaster) so they resent having to pay anything.

stevea · 12-10-2022, 10:44 PM

Nexstar was in one of these fights locally here, with AT&T Uverse a year or two ago.

Local TV stations managed to make money before these stupid carriage fees--they should still be able to make a profit with just the ads they show.

The cable subscriber is really the loser. The fees get passed on to us, plus we still have to put up with the ads.

12-10-2022, 01:40 PM	#1
PaperClips Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 09, 2021 Posts: 316	Comcast is Dumping Antenna TV That's an odd channel to dump - it has to be dirt-cheap. All they do is run commercials with a few minutes of show in between.

12-10-2022, 01:49 PM	#2
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,668	They aren't dropping it nationwide. I think it's only in the NY/NJ area due to a contract/carriage dispute. Antenna TV is still available on Comcast in Atlanta. https://www.dslreports.com/forum/r33...and-Antenna-TV
	Last edited by TJ; 12-10-2022 at 02:34 PM.

12-10-2022, 02:29 PM	#4
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	The "Carriage Dispute" is an interesting aspect of entertainment industry. Locally we have diginets for METV and Comet, but our local cable operator refuses to carry them. Personally. I'd think if I was operating a local METV franchise, and was selling advertising time on it, I'd be just thrilled that a local cable operator wanted to send my signal into even more living rooms. Charging them a fee for expanding my marketing reach seems counter-intuitive. But, I guess that's why I am not a media mogul? I lack the "kill" instinct. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carriage_dispute
	__________________ On my word as a gentleman!

12-10-2022, 06:56 PM	#11
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,688	Comcast would not drop Antenna TV nationwide. Your affiliate might have changed to a different diginet.
	__________________ Top 200 TV Shows https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...14#post6225214 Top 150 Movies https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...84#post6175384 Top 1100 Scripted TV Characters https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=493306 Top Rookie TV Shows by Calendar Year https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=365017 Top Movies by Calendar Year https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=473533

12-10-2022, 09:55 PM	#13
i29u Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 05, 2004 Posts: 237	Notice how the TV station gives the Comcast number but not the number of WANE-TV parent company Nexstar-545 E John Carpenter Freeway Suite 700. Irving, TX 75062. PHONE (972) 373-8800. FAX (972) 373-8888. 685 3rd Avenue 31st Floor. Usually the TV station parent company is to blame, wanting more money; if you think that is true in this case, you should direct your complaints to Nexstar.
	Last edited by i29u; 12-10-2022 at 10:00 PM. Reason: adding info

12-10-2022, 02:01 PM	#3
PaperClips Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 09, 2021 Posts: 316	Might be the east coast - it is getting dropped in MD and DC

12-10-2022, 03:13 PM	#6
PaperClips Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 09, 2021 Posts: 316	I don't have Comcast - I use an antenna and a Roku, the only way I know this is I was watching an Antenna TV show and they run a crawler every so often saying they are getting kicked off of Comcast and to complain.

12-10-2022, 03:37 PM	#7
merlinjones Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 30, 2019 Location: los ángeles Posts: 931	Get a digital antenna -- the broadcast picture is better than cable for many of these diginets anyway (at least in my area)

12-10-2022, 04:23 PM	#9
PaperClips Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 09, 2021 Posts: 316	Yeah but you have to paya lot of money and good luck with customer service. My service went out 3 days ago - I run a small business and need it for their internet. 2 days of remote tests and hours and hours on the phone and dragging their heels on sending a tech, gave up. T-Mobile sent a box, next day, which took about 5 minutes to set up, better speeds than comcast. No more wires. No more Comcast. Also, their customer service is off-shore - if something goes wrong, good luck communicating. There is a reason people hate Comcast.

12-10-2022, 05:02 PM	#10
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	Strictly as a coincidence, I am sure, but today when accessing the website of my local CBS affiliate, the following big banner was front row, center. https://i.imgur.com/frt0wfP.png I believe that these little spats are often just a fruit of posturing and opportunity. AKA the standard agreement is up for renewal (as all contracts eventually are) and the involved parties are just trying to provoke the locals to try and leverage their positions. If the above threat carrys out, I guess we stand to lose Laff as well as one of the crime/court channels as well as the CBS main. What we don't know, is where the friction is being originated. Is Comcast getting greedy? Or is it the over the air content provider trying to put the squeeze on Comcast? Never underestimate anybody. One thing I AM sure of, if the stand-off blossoms into an outright boycott, Comcast will not discount the prices they charge me for the content they will be discontinuing. They'll just try to sweep it under the carpet with some lame explanation that as a result of the savings, they will not have to RAISE my price as soon as they otherwise might have to. Same crud they pulled when they clipped TCM and put on in pay tier with a bunch of channels that I'd never watch

12-10-2022, 10:37 PM	#14
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	The concepts of "Right to carry" vs "Must carry" are interesting too. I think one of the big issues with the diginets is that the cable operator gets little to no chance to insert their own advertising, (when the source is a local over the air broadcaster) so they resent having to pay anything.

12-10-2022, 10:44 PM	#15
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,473	Nexstar was in one of these fights locally here, with AT&T Uverse a year or two ago. Local TV stations managed to make money before these stupid carriage fees--they should still be able to make a profit with just the ads they show. The cable subscriber is really the loser. The fees get passed on to us, plus we still have to put up with the ads.