LIN TV and DirecTV announced agreement on a retransmission consent deal which will cover both the analog and HD signals of LIN stations in 15 markets. The satellite announcement comes as the clock is ticking for LIN to pull its signals from Charter cable systems in seven markets at the end of this month. All seven of those Charter markets are among the 15 in the deal with DirecTV. So, while LIN has a marketing deal with Dish to give a discount to new satellite subscribers in four Charter markets, DirecTV will also be an option for dissatisfied cable subscribers to watch LIN stations via satellite.
The retransmission agreement with DirecTV includes: KRQE-TV, KASA-TV Albuquerque; KXAN-TV, KNVA-TV and KBVO-TV Austin; WIVB-TV and WNLO-TV Buffalo; WDTN-TV Dayton; WANE-TV Ft. Wayne; WOOD-TV, WOTV-TV, WXSP-CA Grand Rapids; WLUK-TV Green Bay; WTNH-TV and WCTX-TV Hartford-New Haven; WISH-TV and WNDY-TV Indianapolis; WALA-TV and WBPG-TV Mobile; WAVY-TV and WVBT-TV Norfolk; WPRI-TV and WNAC-TV Providence; WWLP-TV Springfield and WUPW-TV Toledo.
“With this agreement, DirecTV will continue to enhance its industry leading HD offer, enabling us to add more HD channels in existing DirecTV HD local markets and set the stage for roll out of more HD local channels this fall. We’re extremely happy with this agreement that is both beneficial for our business and our customers.,” said Dan Hartman, Senior Vice President, Programming, DirecTV.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “We are pleased with the outcome of our negotiations,” said LIN CEO Vincent Sadusky.
