HomeMy Public PortalAbout2020.12.01 Transmission Negotiations NOV 3 0 2020
/Sparklight'
December 1, 2020
Dear Franchise Authority,
I want to take a moment to make you aware that Sparklight is currently in negotiations with the
following local broadcast ownership groups for retransmission consent:
• Sinclair Broadcast Group for the right to retransmit KBOI (CBS) located on cable channels
2/1002, KBOI=DT3 (Charge!) located on cable channel 33, KYUU (CW) located on cable
channels 35/1035, KYUU.2 (TBD TV) located on cable channel 34, KYUU.3 (Comet) located
on cable channel 36, and KYUU.4 (Stadium) located on cable channel 37.
• Scripps Media, Inc. for the right to retransmit KIVI.1 (ABC) located on cable channels
6/1006, KIV1.3 (Escape) located on cable channel 29, and KIV1.2 (Laff) located on cable
channel 28.
• Gray Television for the right to retransmit KNIN.D1 (FOX) on cable channels 9/1009,
KNIN.132 (MeTV) located on cable channel 41, KNIN.D3 (Grit) located on cable channel 42,
and KNIN.D4(Circle Network) located on cable channel 43.
• Tegna Inc. for the right to retransmit KTVB 7.1 (NBC) located on cable channels 7/1007,
KTVB 7.2 (24/7 News) located on cable channel 13, KTVB 7.3 (True Crime Network) located
on cable channel 15, and KTVB 7.4(Quest) located on cable channel 17.
• Cocola Broadcasting for the right to retransmit KKJB-DT (Telemundo) located on cable
channels 39/1039, KKJB-DT4 (BUZZR) located on cable channel 40, KKIC LD (Estrella TV
Network) located on cable channel 16, and KCBB LD (Azteca America) located on cable
channel 51.These agreements expire on 12/31/20.
As you may know, since 1992 broadcast television stations have been allowed by Congress to grant
or deny permission, as well as charge retransmission consent fees, to cable television systems to
carry their channels. Our current agreement with the local broadcast ownership groups listed above
expires at midnight on December 31, 2020.
At Sparklight, we are committed to providing our customers with the best TV programming at a
reasonable price. Programming is our most expensive cost, which is why we vigorously negotiate
with broadcasters for retransmission consent. Unfortunately, many broadcasters are demanding
triple digit rate increases for programming that is available for free over-the-air with an antenna and
on the Internet. We do not feel that this is fair to our cable customers, and we believe it's our
responsibility to take.a stand and protect our customers from these excessive price increases.
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Sparklight will continue to negotiate in hopes of reaching an agreement that is fair for everyone.
However, we wanted to make you aware that Sinclair Broadcast Group, Scripps Media Inc., Gray
Television, Tegna Inc., and Cocola Broadcasting could force Sparklight to remove their station(s)
from our line-up if we cannot reach a fair agreement by December 31, 2020.
Our efforts to resolve this issue will continue and I will keep you informed. Please feel free to
contact me if you have any questions.
Kind Regards,
Cheryl Goettsche
Sr General Manager I Sparklight(Western Idaho, Eastern Oregon) �-
T: 208-455-5575
2101 E. Karcher Rd. Nampa, ID 83687
cheryl.goettscheCa.sparklight.biz
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