Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, September 21, 1993 TAG: 9309210216
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MELANIE S. HATTER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
WSLS (Channel 10) has signed a three-year, non-cash contract with Cox Cable Roanoke Inc., leaving WDBJ (Channel 7) as the only local television station out of six that hasn't settled with the largest cable system in the region.
The terms of the contract are confidential and neither side is divulging any details, but WSLS General Manager James DeSchepper said it was "mutually beneficial."
"It certainly wasn't the Israeli peace talks," he said. "There was a lot of give and take. . . . We achieved what we wanted."
Instead of cash, broadcast stations may choose to be compensated with free advertising on cable channels.
Under legislation approved last year, television stations have until Oct. 6 to reach agreement with cable systems on what, if any, compensation they will receive in return for cable systems carrying their signals. Most have opted for agreements in which a cable system guarantees to carry the station (often on a set channel number). But some, like WDBJ, have held out for cash compensation.
WDBJ announced in July that it wanted 57 cents per subscriber per month from Cox - $356,000 per year. The station's general manager, Bob Lee, said earlier this month that he was not ruling out other offers. But, so far the offers had been "hollow," he said.
The negotiations between WDBJ and Cox have spawned a public relations blitz from each side, waged in pointed newspaper advertisements and television commercials.
"We continue to have talks," Lee said Monday, adding he is hopeful an agreement can be made before the deadline The latest agreement will no doubt put "much more fuel on the fire" for continued talks with Cox Cable, he said.
"I'd say I'm cautiously optimistic" on settling with WDBJ, said Gretchen Shine, vice president and general manager at Cox. A lot can be accomplished in two weeks, she said.
Broadcast stations and cable companies have been negotiating on terms of compensation since June.
DeSchepper said an agreement could be forthcoming between Channel 10 and Booth American Corp., which owns Salem and Blacksburg cable companies.
Public broadcasting station WBRA and independent WEFC had opted for a guaranteed position on all cable systems without payment. WSET (Channel 13) and WJPR/WVFT - offering Fox Broadcasting's new FX channel - signed with most cable companies, including Cox, Salem and Blacksburg.
However, the cable system in Franklin County has yet to make much headway with three stations.
Atlantic Metrovision Corp. (Franklin County Cablevision) has yet to conclude talks with WSLS, WDBJ and WJPR/WVFT. WSET opted for a channel position without payment.
by CNB