[BrettR]

Does DirecTV have space to add any more LP channels to any of their markets?

I wanted to any if in any market like Cincinnati where DirecTV added the LP UPN channel, could adding a LP increase penetration within market?

In Philadelphia, Telefutura network is on a LP channel, WFPA 28. Univision, owners of Telefutura, dont have a national feed for Telefutura and as of now, arent interested in a national feed it seems (as per Charlie Chat).

However, if DirecTV called local WUVP 65 here (co-owner of WFPA 28) and requested they want to offer WFPA 28, I'm sure Univision and WUVP would be flattered. Univision would have the money to run a fiber connection for WFPA and DirecTV could locally offer WFPA 28 to Philadelphians. I doubt Univision would demand a price for WFPA. If they did, DirecTV could just say "sorry, not interested." I think rarely if ever does a LP channel ask for compensation. It seems to me, DirecTV is usually content if the stations run fiber and dont ask for compensation.

Right now, Comcast does not carry WFPA. Reason is its Low power and ineligible for mustcarry on Comcast. Comcast also is very reserved which channels go in the broadcast basic package or antenna service, plus WUVP/WFPA local broadcasters compete with Comcast for local advertising, so Comcast wont carry WFPA unless required by law.

It would be an advantage to DirecTV as DirecTV would be the only source for people here to get Telefutura. I know DBS was successful for having programming cable didnt have. NFL Sunday Ticket, Sports packages (before digital cable), Music Choice and 35 PPV (before digital cable), distant networks and superstations (applicable to E*), international(applicable to E*) more premiums (before digital cable),

however, DirecTV and Dish now need more to offer something that Comcast doesnt offer. Comcast already is doing HD although not available everywhere, but Comcast has National Geographic and the main digital channels. Maybe DirecTV being for now the only place to get Telefutura would be a start in same direction. DirecTV is stuck also. They have to keep Philly locals and cant drop them, because it would be bad PR to shut customers off their locals. But they cant get Comcast SportsNet either, so are stuck with low penetration. I think mustcarry gets all full power locals carried (fine but Comcast is doing same also). By carrying programming Comcast wont offer, its to DirecTV's advantage. Univision is also heavily promoting Telefutura, but even with Para Todos one wont get it. By offering local Telefutura, it would boost also DirecTV's para Todos package and DirecTV share within market.

I think DirecTV has few spots left on the beam where Philly is. They have to make space for WTVE, WBPH, WMGM and possibly WNJT (if NJN changes format for WNJT so its not same as WNJS it would be eligible one-day for carriage)

But to be sure, in what areas, does DirecTV have space for more locals on the spotbeams? They added many PAX stations recently, how much more space is there?

What other LPs across the country have programming of interest that DirecTV should look into to increase local market share?

 

[Adam Richey]

Well, if they allowed some LP stations in some markets, the flood gates would fly open. Some LP stations in other markets might sue and would probably win because they think they have the right to be on DBS if other LP stations are being added. UPN in Cincinnati was a special case because it was one of the big networks. I very greatly doubt anymore LP stations will be added.

 

[BrettR]

I'd rather other national programming be available, but I think some of these national channels might charge a cost per subscriber that DirecTV is unwilling to pay, or it may take up precious conus space that DirecTV is unwilling to give up. DirecTV might have an obligation to Blockbuster to leave open 50 channels to PPV to increase PPV sales, that there wont be that many new national channels in Total Choice. CNNsi was dropped, the only new addition was the XM channel

Plus there is always an outcry DirecTV is adding too many channels and thats why PQ has tanked. If DirecTV and Dish is going to get involved in this money losing operation doing local-into-local, they might as well go all out. DirecTV is pretty much and has dropped out of the fight over mustcarry, but has plans to merge with E* which is fighting mustcarry.

I already get all the Full power stations within Philadelphia area clear via an antenna. Almost every Comcast here has a lifeline cable service too, under $12/mo. But, there is DirecTiVo and UTV and locals via sat are needed for them, but these units are very short in stock in case of DirecTiVo, and not getting the attention they should. Many are also afraid/skeptical/critical of the monthly fee, and TiVo has gotten late criticism itself.

I do agree that if considerable amount of low powers and cable news channels get carried, more these regional channels will want carriage and might enforce a law and DirecTV would be stuck with it. But its far from this right now.

I know in case of Univision, Comcast here carried the cable Univision prior to January 2002. WHSP 65 was owned by USA Broadcasting and ran HSN, then was purchased by Univision and in January flipped to Univision programming. Univision owned Ch.28 which was a repeator originally of WXTV 41 from NY with WXTV 41 news.

Univision could have converted WHSP to Telefutura, and Comcast cable subscribers would get both (Univision and Telefutura) on the cable. Instead Univision like any other broadcaster decided to consider profits over customer choice. They figured they'd make more money on selling local and national advertising with an established Univision than fledgling Telefutura here in my market which lacked a full power Univision. So WHSP became WUVP, WXTV LP 28 became WFPA LP 28, the cable Univision was dropped, but no Telefutura was added to cable. I dont think there is a national feed for Telefutura yet, and Comcast which competes with local broadcasters made it clear they dont want LPs and dont have to by law. Time Warner in Cincinnati only carries the UPN affiliate part-time and in night.