TOLEDO, Feb. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Sinclair Broadcast Group, the owner of WNWO-TV (NBC in Toledo, Ohio) announced today that retransmission consent negotiations with Buckeye Cable ("Buckeye") have ended without the parties reaching an agreement. As a result, the failure of Buckeye to carry WNWO will continue for the foreseeable future.
"Although we very much wanted to reach agreement with Buckeye," stated Barry Faber, Sinclair's chief negotiator, "Buckeye was not willing to agree to what we believe, based on our negotiation of hundreds of similar agreements impacting numerous markets, including Toledo, to be fair and customary terms. While we are aware that thousands of former Buckeye subscribers have already switched video providers, we thought it was important to make this announcement so that their remaining subscribers were aware that WNWO and its great programming will not be coming back to Buckeye. This programming includes not only several hours a day of live, local news and popular syndicated programming like Judge Judy and Dr. Oz, but also top-notch NBC network programming, including the remainder of the Winter Olympics, and other highly-watched shows, many of which will begin airing new episodes next week."
"We apologize to Buckeye's subscribers for the inconvenience this has caused," Mr. Faber continued. "While we are aware that Buckeye has been providing its subscribers with a monthly credit of twenty-four cents ($0.24) as a result of the absence of WNWO, obviously this represents a mere fraction of the value of WNWO's programming and is insulting not only to WNWO, but to Buckeye's own subscribers. Our research indicates that better pricing and programming (including WNWO) is available from Buckeye competitors Dish Network, DirecTV and, for some people, AT&T U-verse, and we encourage Buckeye subscribers to find alternative means for receiving our station's programming.
Buckeye subscribers have already been forced to miss the U.S. broadcast of the Winter Olympics and the premier of The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon (which included and will continue to include an unprecedented lineup of superstar guests). A list of NBC shows which will not be seen on Buckeye and their season premier dates follows.
The Voice - February 24
The Blacklist - February 24
Chicago Fire - February 25
Revolution - February 26
Law & Order SVU - February 26
Parenthood - February 27
Parks & Recreation - February 27
Saturday Night Live - March 1
Buckeye subscribers wishing to discontinue their service can do so by calling Buckeye at (419) 724-9800. Dish Network can be reached at 1-800-823-4929. DirecTV can be reached at 1-855-802-3473. AT&T U-verse can be reached at 1-877-513-6394.
SOURCE Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
