DirecTV's existing local market packages

[Brett]

- Dish has chosen not to carry Baltimore locals. Why doesnt DirecTV take advantage of this, and improve their Baltimore locals? Suggestions: Sign deal with WETA 26, WHUT 32 to get those stations offered in Baltimore locals. Greg B., would this work? DirecTV has WEDN in Providence locals, and added WFDC 14 in Baltimore already.

Comcast in Baltimore carries WETA, WHUT and both cover Baltimore signal wise. MPT cannot assert exclusivity. Although Comcast carries WTTG (on Ch.75 in Howard and Harford Co.) and DirecTV would not be able to sell any of the big 4 network D.C. stations in Baltimore, what would stop D* from signing deals to add the PBS/NCE and minor UHF indy stations (WETA, WHUT, WNVC) which are already carried on spotbeam.

There is one NY DMA independent WRNN. Could DirecTV strike a deal with WRNN to get it offered in Philadelphia DMA? The NY spotbeam covers Philly DMA. WRNN offers infomercials and news - no syndicated shows that would cause conflicts.

http://www.rnntv.com/NewsChooser/pages/multi_column/main_jersey.cfm?prm_region=jersey

They do NJ news also.

There is another indy WMBC 63 that programs an odd selection of Korean, Italian and infomercials. The station (one of NJ's few) is owned by a minority like WGTW 48 here in Philly. They program Korean shows even though in their city of license Newton, NJ there are few Koreans. However, I think the Korean programming would be popular in not only NY market but down here where there are several Koreans. This station may not be able to get carriage elsewhere if program contracts prevent them.

But WRNN seems it could be offered in Philadelphia and Southern NJ as it produces its own local shows. How would I make DirecTV take an interest in this station? The station would be willing to gain more viewers so would likely sign such deal. Its already carried on spotbeam, and wont ask for payment.

[Greg Bimson]

Dish has chosen not to carry Baltimore locals. Why doesnt DirecTV take advantage of this, and improve their Baltimore locals? Suggestions: Sign deal with WETA 26, WHUT 32 to get those stations offered in Baltimore locals. Greg B., would this work?I really need to take a look at the NCE rules again.

I seem to recall that a non-commercial educational channel (NCE) can request carriage in a neighboring DMA, specifically if they are located within a few miles of the DMA. That is how DirecTV carries WEDN, in the New Haven DMA, in Providence as well.

I'll look over the rules later tonight.

[Brett]

I called WETA 26. The station engineer thought DirecTV could offer WETA within its Grade B.

Another thing he mentioned was Comcast has agreed to carry WETA's digital stations on Comcast Digital Cable but only in the D.C. DMA. In Baltimore DMA, Comcast will carry MPT's digital station(s). This was Comcast's decision. Comcast however does provide analog from both stations in Maryland.

He mentioned some of the staff lives in Anne Arundel Co. and has DirecTV and cannot watch the station on they work for on DirecTV. He didnt have a solution unfortunately but indicated he would like WETA offered in Baltimore. I wonder now if DirecTV has any interest.

I think they should. If WETA and WHUT deals are made, DirecTV can offer a local package of 10+ local channels to Baltimore subscribers, while Dish is offering 0 local channels there. Maybe I should send emails to DirecTv. Since Comcast does carry analog WETA and WHUT within Baltimore City and County, Howard, Anne Arundel and Carroll which is most of Baltimore market, I cant imagine any party opposing DirecTV offering WETA and WHUT.