Easton Velocity is currently in negotiations with various broadcasters for the right to carry or “re-transmit” several television station signals. Easton Velocity’s goal is to negotiate the lowest costs for programming and to provide customers with better service options; however, the fees to ensure access to popular channels like ours are only getting more expensive. “Easton Velocity is committed to signing deals for the programming our customers want at reasonable monthly fees and to avoid a situation where corporate broadcasters temporarily remove popular programs,” said Ted L. Book, Easton Velocity’s Director of Cable and Communications. “We negotiate in good faith, but this process has gotten harder over the years.”
This process, which occurs across the country, pits local cable businesses against national corporate conglomerates. Historically, broadcasters were locally owned businesses that worked side-by-side with cable companies in the communities where they operate. But as the broadcast industry has consolidated, local cable operators are forced to negotiate with regional and national entities whose owners and employees are outside the community.
Retransmission fees are projected to cost U.S. consumers and satellite and cable operators $11.6 billion annually by 2022, a 51 percent increase from 2016, according to SNL Kagan. Because broadcast retransmission fees are a growing source of income for corporations at a time when other revenue streams are shrinking, negotiations can sometimes be contentious making it more difficult to reach an agreement. “While broadcasters demand a sharp increase in fees and then potentially pull their channels from the air until their demands are met, Easton Velocity will be fighting on behalf of our customers to keep rates down and maintain uninterrupted programming,” added Book.
Easton Velocity, a service of Easton Utilities, is committed to keeping our community connected and current with a variety of service offerings designed to meet the needs of both residential and commercial customers. Easton Utilities is a community-owned, not-for-profit utility and telecommunications company operating the Electric, Natural Gas, Water, Wastewater, Cable Television, and Internet services for the Town of Easton and portions of the surrounding area.
Please visit www.eastonutilities.com or call 410-822-6110 to learn more.
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