12-11-2010 KMBC AND DIRECTV SQUARING OFF Kansas City's top-rated TV station, KMBC-TV may not be carried on DIRECTV satellite systems effective January 1, 2011 if the parties cannot reach an agreement by the end of the year, according to sources. DIRECTV is the nation's largest satellite TV service with more than 50 million subscribers nationwide. KMBC-TV (and sister station KCWE-TV) may no longer be carried on DIRECTV satellite systems if the parties are unable to conclude retransmission consent negotiations currently underway with representatives of KMBC parent Hearst Television. Satellite distributors are prohibited by law from carrying broadcasters’ signals without their consent. “We believe that we and DIRECTV can conclude our negotiations before January 1st so as not to deprive any of our respective viewers and customers of our programming," says KMBC/KCWE general manager Wayne Godsey. "However, we want to advise our viewers and customers that the possibility of non-renewal of our current agreement exists.”
Hearst Television Inc. owns 29 television stations and two radio stations, in geographically diverse U.S. markets. The Company’s television stations reach approximately 18% of U.S. TV households, making it one of the largest U.S. television station groups. Hearst owns 13 ABC affiliated stations, and is the largest ABC affiliate group. The Company owns 10 NBC affiliates, and is the second-largest NBC affiliate owner, and also owns two CBS affiliates.
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