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OT: No Game on TV Sunday in Buffalo

While Bills fans are rightfully ecstatic over their 4-0 start, their enthusiasm may be tempered a bit this weekend. Most of the viewers in the Buffalo area will not have access to the Bills game on their television Sunday - not that the owners of sports bars in the area will be complaining.

Apparently the CBS affiliate in Buffalo has been trying to reach an agreement with Time-Warner, the area's largest cable company, regarding a contract to carry their programming. After months of failed negotiations, the CBS station has pulled the plug.

Quote:

Dear Time Warner Cable subscriber,

Time Warner's contract to carry WIVB-TV and WNLO-TV on its cable system has expired, and Time Warner no longer has the right to carry our programming.

Please know that we have tried for several months to reach an agreement, so that our viewers would not have to miss any of our around-the-clock reporting of news, politics, traffic, weather emergencies, and public service announcements.

We are disappointed in the outcome of our negotiations with Time Warner, especially since we have successfully reached deals with every major cable, satellite and telecommunications company who recognize our fair market value. Without fair and equitable treatment, local TV stations will not be able to continue to provide top quality news, sports, entertainment, and other local programming that is most important to you.

We will continue to negotiate with Time Warner. Unfortunately, we do not know if, or when, we will reach an agreement.

WIVB-TV News4 Buffalo, NY |October 3rd Letter to Time Warner Cable Subscribers

Quote:

Time Warner has 330,000 subscribers in the immediate Buffalo Niagara region and is in approximately 70 percent of all local households. That means instead of such popular shows as NFL football games, the various “CSI” shows and WIVB’s top-rated local newscasts, viewers on Channel 4 Friday morning were greeted by CBS College Sports Network and those watching WNLO saw “HBO Family” programming instead of the CW network shows.

WIVB off Time Warner - Business First of Buffalo:

Re: OT: No Game on TV Sunday in Buffalo

That sucks. I have no love for the Bills, but thier fans should be able to watch them.

Re: OT: No Game on TV Sunday in Buffalo

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackglass3 (Post 1080436)

That sucks. I have no love for the Bills, but their fans should be able to watch them.

My exact sentiments. No love lost for the Bills or their fans, but it's not something I would wish on any NFL fans.

Apparently the Buffalo station is just one of 15 stations that is affected by this stalemate. I haven't been able to figure out whether or not it affects other markets too - the parent corporation also owns FOX stations in Green Bay and Toledo and another CBS station in Indianapolis.

Quote:

Fifteen LIN TV-owned local stations are currently carried by Time Warner in the following markets: Austin; Buffalo; Columbus; Dayton; Ft. Wayne; Green Bay; Indianapolis; Mobile; Springfield (Mass); Terre Haute and Toledo.

LIN TV Press Release (pdf)

LIN Stations Go Dark on Time Warner Cable

Re: OT: No Game on TV Sunday in Buffalo

Just goes to show how addicted to cable/satelite we are. If you had a tv with an antennae you can get channel 5 just fine. I keep several around so I can keep track of multiple games.

Re: OT: No Game on TV Sunday in Buffalo

Not to worry. There is a ton more to do in Buffalo than watch a silly NFL game.

Re: OT: No Game on TV Sunday in Buffalo

Just another reminder of how spoiled we are here in NE, and I count myself among the most spoiled. I caught myself *****ing about the 10:07 p.m. first pitch time for the RS/Angels game Thursday night then thought about the fortune of having teams like the Pats, Red Sox and Celtics. We're lucky as hell.

Re: OT: No Game on TV Sunday in Buffalo

I do my shopping during Bills games.

It's great, the town is deserted.

I once went to 6 Flags up here during a game. I didn't need that XPress ticket.

My HDTV is over the air HD ready, and the picture is much better over the air.

Cable and satellite compress HDTV and it loses definition.

Re: OT: No Game on TV Sunday in Buffalo

I despise Time-Warner. Easily the worst cable company I've had to deal with. Awful, inconsistent service, especially connectivity issues with their supposed high speed internet package, rude, pitifully incompetent customer support and constant cutting of channels. I believe they were rated the second worst corporation in terms of customer fulfillment in the nation in 2007. Giving in to those losers would be the worst thing that station could do. It's just unfortunate that Bills fans will be deprived of their game on Sunday.

Re: OT: No Game on TV Sunday in Buffalo

Time Warner stopped broadcasting our local NBC affiliate last night at 12:00. :mad: I guess I won't be watching Sunday Night football anytime soon, but at least they have free episodes of The Office on NBC.com.

Re: OT: No Game on TV Sunday in Buffalo

Too bad the dispute isn't with Comcast, even though none of his constituents are affected I am sure Arlen Spector would be happy to step in and hold a press conference calling for an investigation. :rolleyes: