War Of Words Continues Between WEAR And Bright House House

December 27, 2010

The war of words  between Bright House Networks and the parent company of WEAR TV 3 continues, with cable television viewers in Century and Cantonment caught in the middle.

The current retransmission agreement that allows Bright House Networks to deliver the Sinclair Broadcast Group owned WEAR expires on December 31. That contract is still in the negotiation stage.

“If another agreement is not reached by the end of the year, our programming will no longer be available on their system,” WEAR Operations Manager Joe Smith said.

WEAR has stepped up their on-air campaign in the battle, airing commercials that proclaim that Bright House customers can switch to Dish Network or DirecTV satellite services to save money — and keep WEAR in the process.

“By law, Bright House Networks must have Sinclair’s permission to provide the signal to broadcast the station. It’s up to them to grant or deny it,” said Robert Smith, director of pubic affairs for Bright House told NorthEscambia.com. “Despite the public noise, which is a routine negotiating tactic, the channel owner normally does not remove its channels because it’s very disruptive for viewers and the deals eventually get resolved.”

Smith said Bright House has negotiated never wants to remove programming during negotiations.

“If there is a loss of service, it will be a denial of permission by Sinclair to allow Bright House Networks permission to continue to carry their  programming,” Smith said.

Comments

19 Responses to “War Of Words Continues Between WEAR And Bright House House”

  1. CR on December 30th, 2010 8:42 am

    I have no problem with Brighthouse and I would rather have the bundling instead of 3 different bills. The problem is not Brighthouse, it is WEAR TV. If you notice it is every year about this time. I will continue to use Brighthouse because I have had great service with them after getting rid of DIRECT TV. WKRG gives better coverage of the news not like WEAR that will give you 5 to 10 minutes of NEWS and the rest is WEATHER.

  2. Just A Thought on December 30th, 2010 7:14 am

    I have Direct with a DVR and love it!! I pay the extra amount for the insurance each month that way if I have a problem and have to call them out there is no service call charge. I will admit I have had to have them out a couple time but the tech’s have always been polite and got the job done. The main problem was when I told them I had a tree in the way and they wanted to run a diagnostic test. Finally I got a customer service rep who understood I knew what I was talking about and sent a tech out and put my dish in the yard instead of up on the light pole. No problems since. I was ready to shoot it with a shot gun and tell them to diagnos this.

    I also have Frontier for internet (in Alabama) and have not had many problems with it.

    Good luck Brighthouse Customers.

  3. Chris on December 29th, 2010 8:14 am

    Be careful with bright house. They said I didn’t turn in receiver or modem (I did). Went to their office (can’t get anywhere on the phone) 3 times, they said I have zero balance, don’t owe anything, yet now they have sent me to collections. I never owed them, always paid on time. That’s how they treat good customers.

  4. June on December 28th, 2010 8:36 pm

    Once again, name one relevant instance when WKRG covered our area better than Channel 3. Channel 5 bought the Christmas parade, so that example won’t fly.

  5. JW on December 28th, 2010 6:51 pm

    WKRG Ch 5 covers Pensacola better than WEAR Ch 3 anyway, not sure if their part of Sinclair Broadcasting as well. If you can afford it, go out and get Dish Network. I’m sure you’ll be happy until a hurricane comes along :)

  6. Football Mom on December 28th, 2010 2:23 pm

    I have had Direct TV…..per my hubby’s request and my disaproval. First storm he called me to tell me it was storming and there was no TV. I laughed and kept on shopping. Direct TV customer service sucked too. I have had Cox with only general problems and now that I have moved to Cantonment I have Brighthouse with only general problems. I think they are all pretty much the same. My question is , , , Why do cable companies always have problems reaching an agreement with Ch 3? A few years ago Ch 3 was going to drop Mediacom, now Brighthouse? Why doesnt Fox or NBC or CBS have these problems with the cable companies?

  7. poohbear on December 28th, 2010 11:26 am

    I have Wild Blue Internet and it is okay but you have to watch your usuage or you will use it up and then can’t get on Internet at all. I have Dish and have never had a problem with them except they don’t give exiting customers DVR even if you’ve been with them over 10 years as I have.

  8. met on December 28th, 2010 8:09 am

    Direct TV DVR is awesome!

  9. met on December 28th, 2010 8:08 am

    Direct TV way to go. Just watch them close on install they get in a hurry. make them double check all connections. they also offer internet , but I have no experience with that!

  10. ABC on December 28th, 2010 7:52 am

    Be careful if you get Dish, they put so many holes in my walls installing the service, there is continual problems with signals, and if you need to call them after the first time they will charge you throught the nose plus youll be lucky to get your hands on a copy of the contract you never saw……there are so many hidden charges you will be amazed, go get an antenna for 10 dollars at the dollar store and use it you will get good service and amazing channels Ive got one and as soon as this mess with dish is over Im using it, saves a small fortune……….

  11. Native Floridian on December 28th, 2010 6:59 am

    Staying with Brighthouse, will not miss that sorry excuse for a station WEAR if they do go away. Don’t watch it anyway.

  12. Clinton Curly Brooks on December 27th, 2010 10:29 pm

    BOOHOOO,What a shame.Christmas past
    and graduation coming up soon,you know.BMW,yeah dad,my grades are good.

    SNIFF<SNIFF

  13. just call me joe on December 27th, 2010 9:45 pm

    We have DishNetwork for tv and are satisfied. We have Brighthouse for internet. Sometimes the server goes down, but it’s ok mostly. I don’t believe in bundling things, because if you lose one thing due to a storm, etc, you lose it all. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

  14. citizen on December 27th, 2010 6:27 pm

    Direct Tv will be at my house Wednesday to get my new service hooked up…. See ya BrightHouse… I emailed Brighthouse concerning this matter 3 weeks ago. I still have not got a response. Poor way of doing business. Although they do promptly deposit your payments into their bank. Just don’t ask them for help.

  15. Jane on December 27th, 2010 4:29 pm

    Use your antenae, use netzero for the internet. Then you can have the best of both worlds for less!!

  16. Jodie Nash on December 27th, 2010 11:03 am

    I am tired of the squalbing between bright house and wear. I would love to hear from people who have firgured out solutions to this problem.

    I have contacted Direct TV …very possitve about changing to them
    HOWEVER….

    I contacted ATT and they said they do NOT provide service in our area for internet. I stuck between brighthouse and Frontier. But everyone I spoke to says do NOT got to Frontier for internet.

    Anyone with ideas for internet service here in the west side of Molino rd ?

    I’m ready to leave brighthouse. Thanks

  17. Cynical on December 27th, 2010 10:51 am

    Direct TV is a viable solution to rural areas in all but the most severe weather conditions. The bundle package available from AT&T is adequate and the DVR provided by DTV is more than satisfactory.

    Brighthouse should cave in the face of overwhelming and better delivery systems.

    Otherwise. . .

    Snooze, you lose.

  18. js on December 27th, 2010 7:39 am

    watch out for brighthouse thay wint in to my husbon acount when we payed our bill and took more than the bill all hell broke loose be carefull out thair when you use brighthouse

  19. Wayne on December 27th, 2010 6:27 am

    No Ch.3 on Brighthouse,no use of Ch.3 advertisers. I’ m still waiting for the to name ” one of my favorite shows I’m going to miss. I think the Joe Patti commercial ,and not being able to buy my seafood there ( just following my rule,,,,,No Ch.3 ,no buy from advertiser ) I get 3 great on over the .” air” antenna,my news on North Escambia and weather off weather app on telephone and weather alert radio.