Pay TV, media owners do battle in Des Moines ... again

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Well, they're at it again. We've watched our local Fox affiliate and Mediacom struggle during contract negotiations, and now we see Tribune Broadcasting (owners of Channel 13/Des Moines and WGN-9/Chicago) doing battle. While the two sides negotiate carriage fees, the public posturing has gotten ugly and painful to watch.

It’s hard for the typical viewer to unpack what’s really going on and we’re left to wonder. Is Dish really being a bully and threatening to unfairly yank Channel 13 off its system? Or is Tribune Media using its news anchors and commercial inventory (and coaxing viewers to make demands on its behalf) to extort more money from Dish subscribers for programming that anyone can get free over the air?

In either case, this is the first time I can remember seeing members of our local community and news media -- actual TV news anchors -- being drawn into a fight between multi-billion-dollar corporations in this way. As a 35-year broadcaster it's unsettling to watch news anchors, in the middle of news broadcasts, have to regurgitate from a script, veiled as news, such slanted copy designed to leverage a negotiating position … and by telling viewers to call Dish and do Tribune's bidding.

For our viewers who are Dish subscribers, we want to take a moment to share some important information with you. You're tuned into Channel 13 now because you value our connection to you and to our community. But we need to let you know something. You may lose our news and all programming on WHO-HD, including those Summer Games from Rio because Dish may force us off their system, denying you the shows and events you value, that you pay for. But this doesn't have to happen. You have a powerful vote to cast and you can do it right now. Call Dish at 855-MY-WHO13 and demand that you continue getting Channel 13 and the Summer Olympic Games and all the programs that you care about without any interruption.


Here's what's happening between Tribune and WGN-TV in Chicago:
http://chicagoradioandmedia.com/news/8241-tribune-broadcasting-once-again-battling-with-tv-provider-over-fees-this-time-it-s-dish

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