Tomorrow marks one month since LIN-owned stations in seven markets went dark for Mediacom subscribers, and the stalemate is showing no signs of progress.
A uniform statement on the LIN-owned stations’ sites says negotiations are ongoing. “Unfortunately, we do not know if, or when, we will reach an agreement,” the statement, which has not been changed all month, reads. “In the meantime, we hope you will continue supporting local television and watch us through alternative means.”
According to Broadcasting & Cable, Mediacom sent a letter to the FCC this week, asking their help in preventing blackouts during retransmission disputes. The FCC has previously claimed they have no authority regarding the issue.
“We continue to negotiate with LIN in an attempt to reach a new deal,” Mediacom said in a statement to B&C. ” In fact, we have made multiple counter offers to LIN since they initiated the blackout last month, and have been waiting on a response from LIN to the offer we made last week.”
The stations affected are WALA-WFNA in Mobile, WOOD-WOTV in Grand Rapids, WANE in Fort Wayne, WLUK in Green Bay, WTHI in Terre Haute, WLFI in Layfette, IN and WAVY-WVBT in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.