Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, September 10, 1993 TAG: 9309100111
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: A-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MAG POFF STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Jim Matthews, general manager of Salem Cable, said Thursday that terms of the agreements will not cause an increase in rates his company charges subscribers.
Under the Cable Act of 1992, broadcasters either can ask cable operators for payment to retransmit their signals or agree simply for a guaranteed slot on the cable. The stations and cable companies have until Oct. 6 to sign agreements.
The law prohibits cable companies from carrying local broadcast stations after that date without their written consent.
In Western Virginia, broadcasters and cable operators have reached a variety of agreements, but the major network affiliates have been among the last to come to terms.
Two other local stations - educational channel WBRA and independent WEFC - signed with Salem Cable earlier.
Matthews declined to release the terms of the new agreements.
The new signings leave CBS affiliate WDBJ and NBC station WSLS as holdouts.
Matthews said those two stations still are negotiating but have indicated they want cash payments that would increase customer bills. Signing and continued carriage, he said, are "up to them."
The four existing agreements, he said, show that "cable and broadcasters can work together to continue providing our customers with programming without interruption."
The agreement with WJPR includes a commitment by Fox Broadcasting Co. to develop and provide Salem Cable TV with a new cable service by March 30.
The Fox affiliate serving central and Southwest Virginia will remain on cable channel 8 for the duration of the agreement.
The new service, FX, will offer first-run programming 24 hours a day with what is described as a variety of innovative shows. It will not duplicate programs Fox is offering on its network.
Under terms of the agreement, WJPR allows Salem Cable to carry its signal without any cash payments. It will receive a portion of ownership in the new cable channel and will have the opportunity to program material for two hours a day.
Robb Gray Jr., vice president and general manager at the Fox station, said the plan is "clearly a win" for the station and the subscribers.
"This plan clearly shows that there are beneficial solutions to the retransmission issue when cable and broadcaster work together for the benefit of our viewers," he said.
by CNB