Contributor
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47 Messages
Just received email "Some local programming will no longer be available"
Says in email I will be losing 2 channels, but does not tell me which ones. gives me a link to one of their sites that it says "For a full list of the channels and areas that will be affected by the change, and to learn how to find the local station available to you,
Unfortunately, this page still does not tell me the channels, and it directs me to yet another link,
"The channels that are being removed vary by market. Over 35 channels will be removed from 31 different areas. For the full list of channels that are being removed, please see Xfinity.com/contractrenewals
going to this site shows upcoming contract renewals, with no mention of what channels are being removed.
can anyone shed any light on this?
thanks.
fyi-comcast is removing my links.
BruceW
Gold Problem Solver
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25.5K Messages
3 years ago
That statement has since been revised and now says "Over 35 channels may be removed from 31 different areas".
Just a bit below that statement on https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/neighboring-local-tv-stations-no-longer-available you should see a table like this (follow the link for the current version):
The statement "For the full list of channels that are being removed, please see Xfinity.com/contractrenewals" is incorrect. That page is not a list of removed channels, it's a list of channels and networks whose agreements with Comcast are expiring. When agreements expire, they are usually renegotiated and the channel or network continues to be carried.
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tito752
Contributor
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49 Messages
3 years ago
I got the same email. WCVB will no longer be available to me.
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ThatDonGuy
Problem Solver
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722 Messages
3 years ago
It is because all of the channels being removed are owned by the same company - Hearst Television - and, for whatever reason, they want more money to be available in areas where there is already a "primary" station with the same network (in which case, that station can, and almost always does, demand that the "outsider" station black out all network programming - presumably to make sure you watch the local station, and, more importantly, its local commercials).
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dapper921
Contributor
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47 Messages
3 years ago
thanks. boy, they should really check their links before sending out a million emails.. however.
seems I'm losing wgal (lancaster). not really how this works, though, since wgal is an nbc
affiliate, and comcast owns nbc. so not really sure why it's going away.
anyhow, thanks for the info.
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dapper921
Contributor
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47 Messages
3 years ago
@ThatDonGuy
I agree, that makes sense. Except that in my case (assuming that comcast's 'redding,pa' is actually "reading, pa"), WGAL is 30miles away (being removed), and the one we're keeping is in Philadelphia, 60 miles away. It would be interesting to know what 'local' really means to comast.
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ThatDonGuy
Problem Solver
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722 Messages
3 years ago
I don't think that is Comcast's decision. It may be the FCC's; it may be the networks'.
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dcfox
Contributor
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387 Messages
3 years ago
Yea agree. I was suprised Reading was lossing WGAL. But I guess FCC says it is more local to philly. I don't see alot of Reading news unless it is big on WGAL though. It may be in between land. I am in Lancaster Co so always assumed philly did more local coverage in Reading. And also never saw a Redding Pa in this area with a market as comcast listed hehe.
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CCTeds
Gold Problem Solver
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18.9K Messages
3 years ago
Reading, PA and all of Berks County are 100% part of the Philadelphia television market. WCAU Philadelphia is the primary NBC affiliate for your area.
https://thevab.com/storage/app/media/Toolkit/DMA_Map_2019.pdf
WGAL Lancaster is the primary NBC affiliate associated with the Harrisburg-Lancaster-Lebanon-York TV market.
WGAL is considered OOM (out of market) for Berks County.
The terms "DMA", "out of market", "significantly viewed" and "network non-duplication" all have extensive definitions and examples, some links below that will make for some good reading: :
DMA: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Designated_market_area
Out of market and Significantly Viewed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Significantly_viewed_out_of_market_TV_stations_in_the_United_States
Network non-duplication http://law.justia.com/cfr/title47/47-4.0.1.1.4.6.3.1.html
You can certainly contact the FCC about any questions on the "significantly viewed" definition or contact Nielsen regarding the current DMA designation for your area.
Try here: http://www.fcc.gov/contact-us
And here: http://www.fcc.gov/guides/broadcast-information-specialists
If it is important for you to view WGAL, you may be able to receive the station over the air with an antenna depending on your location and surrounding terrain.
Or watch WGAL's local news for FREE anytime on the free NewsON app.
NewsON app info https://apps.apple.com/us/app/newson-local-news-nationwide/id1049006131
The links I provided above should provide some additional detailed information. Thanks for your interest.
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