I'm not sure how prevalent this is in other Big East markets, but I've been reading that FOX affiliates all throughout Idaho will be dropping FOX programming this summer. Apparently, FOX is demanding fees from local affiliates that exceeds revenue for many Idaho stations. Another local station in the Boise area will be picking up FOX programming, but Twin Falls and Idaho Falls/Pocatello it appears may be without FOX. That's everything east of Boise.

While that area isn't even a drop in the bucket with regards to the overall number of households in the conference, if this remains, it's possible that Boise State will object to FOX becoming a major player. If this trend continues in enough of other areas around Big East country, it will begin to negatively impact our negotiations with FOX and could take them out of the picture. Is this happening anywhere else?

It's very possible this may all just be posturing and that FOX will eventually give in to demands if they continue to lose more affiliates, but what if they don't?

Anyway, the less certain networks are in play, the less money our contract would be able to garner. Just wanted to pass this along as it may be something to keep an eye on.... thoughts?

EDIT: Here's an old link outlining the negotiations. The developments in Idaho have occured within the past month: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-09...m-fee.html

(05-29-2012 03:52 PM)Bleedin Blue Wrote:  It's very possible this may all just be posturing and that FOX will eventually give in to demands if they continue to lose more affiliates, but what if they don't?

Stations and cable/sat offers have been playing chicken since the beginning of time...and yes, sometimes channel disappear for a few days or even a few weeks in some rare instances...but 99% of the time (or more), they end up finding a solutions.

Scare tactics will always be used...and stations to cable/sat companies will continue to play "chicken".

(05-29-2012 03:55 PM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(05-29-2012 03:52 PM)Bleedin Blue Wrote:  It's very possible this may all just be posturing and that FOX will eventually give in to demands if they continue to lose more affiliates, but what if they don't?

Stations and cable/sat offers have been playing chicken since the beginning of time...and yes, sometimes channel disappear for a few days or even a few weeks in some rare instances...but 99% of the time (or more), they end up finding a solutions.

Scare tactics will always be used...and stations to cable/sat companies will continue to play "chicken".

^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^

Agree. No impact, IMO.

This is the exact same stuff FOX pulled here in Orlando a few years ago. It's a negotiating ploy. It will get worked out.