WIBW, Cox Reach Retransmission Agreement
WIBW, Cox Reach Retransmission Agreement Save Email Print
Posted: 7:14 PM Mar 13, 2008
 Last Updated: 3:39 PM Dec 4, 2008
31 comments
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WIBW General Manager Jim Ogle announced on 13 News at 6 Thursday the station has reached agreement with Cox Cable on the continued carriage of WIBW, MyNetwork Topeka, and the Kansas NewsChannel.

The current retransmission agreement between WIBW and Cox was set to expire at 11:59 pm Thursday.

“The terms of the agreement are confidential,” Ogle said. “However, our thanks to our many viewers is anything but secret. We know this has been a frustrating and confusing time for those loyal Channel 13 viewers who get our signal through Cox cable. I want to thank each and every one for their patience as we got a new agreement worked out.”
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Posted by: Joe Location: Topeka on Mar 15, 2008 at 12:54 AM
Wake up people! You can't say "Cox should pay because Satellite pays for the local channels". It isn't the same deal. Not even close! The FCC requires Cox to carry WIBW's signal. Satellite does not have this restraint. They pay because they want the locals to compete against COX. Cox charges you for the locals because they have to maintain the network to deliver them to your house! It isn't the same thing as 'getting them for free'!
Posted by: travis Location: topeka on Mar 14, 2008 at 04:39 PM
@ AMY: quoted from your post: "this is truely an prime example..." The word an should only be used if the following word starts with a vowel, so you should have used a instead of an an.
Posted by: travis Location: topeka on Mar 14, 2008 at 04:34 PM
THANKS WIBW!!!! now ksnt and ktka will expect payment from COX as well, everyone with COX get ready for our bills to raise. THANKS AGAIN WIBW!!!!
Posted by: Topeka TV Watcher Location: <<
Gosh, I bet they have someone sitting by a computer, just waiting for your comment. Maybe they have a more pressing job to do, since this whole thing is moot now.
Posted by: MF Location: KS on Mar 14, 2008 at 03:27 PM
LOL to all of you complaining WIBW is still the best
Posted by: Randy Location: Topeka on Mar 14, 2008 at 01:45 PM
I support WIBW 100% in this. They deserve to be compensated for a product they provide to COX -- just like they are compensated by satellite companies. I dumped Cox and Went to Dish -- more channels, 2 DVRs and better service for $15 less a month. COX was so back up with disconnections that they couldn't get out to disconnect us for almost two weeks. Serves them right!
Posted by: Brad Location: Topeka on Mar 14, 2008 at 01:20 PM
Wow, it takes a few hours for comments to show up on here.... I wrote a post earlier, but now I'm seeing others show up... @heather & Smitty D: THANK YOU!!! You two said exactly what I've been trying to explain to everyone I know!
Posted by: TV watcher Location: Topeka on Mar 14, 2008 at 11:21 AM
The local stations is a thing of the past it is time to move on with cable and Satellite.
Posted by: Brad Location: Topeka on Mar 14, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Am I the only one who realizes that WIBW doesn't want us "the viewer" to pay for their broadcast? PLEASE, someone tell me (logically/legally) why Cox should receive WIBW's for free, then turn around and charge we the consumer a $12 minimum to receive that broadcast via coaxial cable. Given, you also get such breathtaking channels as CSPAN, SciFi, and QVC (oh boy!) Wake up! We consumers are/were already paying cox for that WIBW (and other local channels) broadcast. Cox then pocketed that money without compensating WIBW. If Cox decides to raise their rates AGAIN, WIBW will be the red herring for that increase, but not the real issue. Cox should be distributing all local channels without charging customers their $12 "basic cable" fee or pay up just like the Sat companies do. @Kasey: NO ONE can disclose the terms of the agreement! This is a legal issue, not WIBW's choice. Go ask Cox to disclose the terms if you think I'm wrong.
Posted by: whiteindian Location: topeka on Mar 14, 2008 at 09:59 AM
I agree with the comments posted about WIBW running a negative add campaign. In Indian lore, we try to be in harmony with mother earth and the sun and sky. WIBW was only in harmony with COLD HARD CASH. There negative ads were very pathetic and showed their colors. I no longer watch the news on 13. They don't deserve my attention. Because of them our cable rates will now go up. Jim Ogle and that other geek should be fired by whomn ever owns the station. I now only watch 13 for the CSI shows. Besides that, watch Jeremy during bad weather, he shows signs of panic and being afraid. Also, that bean-pole Mark on the sports, J.B. would be a lot better. Besides that he doesn't dye his hair black to hide the gray like Mark does. He's not even close to being a sports reporter. I've been watching WIBW for 40 years, and the current crop of on air persons is really bad. With the exception of Ralph, Melissa and J.B., and Drew, you could ship the rest of them out to western Kansas. WIBW has no class.
Posted by: topekan for life Location: topeka on Mar 14, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Went ahead and made switch to dish knowing Feb 2009 is coming and their rates are lower then Cox's hd package. Glad I did it, even though WIBW will still be on Cox. This type of dispute between cable co and networks is just beginning. I wouldn't be sad to see sorry KSNT go away. Lame broadcast.
Posted by: Amy Location: Topeka on Mar 14, 2008 at 08:53 AM
Hello people. WIBW has always been free and in my house it still is. You choose to pay for it when you got cable. I don't have cable and don't care to. This is truely an prime example of how Americans are becoming obese...We'are all becoming a bunch of couch potatoes. Whining about having to pay for something that you can have for free.
Posted by: Smitty D. Location: Topeka on Mar 14, 2008 at 07:57 AM
Good job WIBW. It is your signal you can do with it as you please. For those of you who are whining because WIBW wanted money for THEIR signal to be retransmitted. Do you ask Cox why they raise their prices all of the time with out asking you if it is OK first? For the record, you don't have to pay for WIBW's signal, you CHOOSE to pay for WIBW's signal through Cox. Get an antenna, then ask Cox to credit your bill for the local channels. Cox customer thinkng- "Wait a minute I thought the channels were free, you mean I was already paying Cox for something they were getting for free." Wake up people.
Posted by: heather Location: kansas on Mar 14, 2008 at 07:21 AM
what i think is funny is all of you who are "not gonna watch this station no more" and yet your taking the time to visit it's web page and then taking more time to comment about how you think it wrong to pay extra for cable to watch a free station. IF YOU PAY FOR CABLE YOU ARE ALREADY PAYING TO WATCH WIBW. the only difference now is you are aware of it. and as far as the commericals stating the truth, sometimes the truth HURTS.
Posted by: Rogers Location: Topeka on Mar 14, 2008 at 07:12 AM
Everyone leave WIBW alone unless you know the details and you don't. KSNT and KTKA also get "paid" for their broadcasting, it's only fair WIBW do as well. Although I think COX prices are high enough and they don't need to charges any of them.
Posted by: RM Location: Topeka on Mar 14, 2008 at 01:05 AM
So when does the expense get passed down to Cox customers? Thanks WIBW for screwing your customers. Yes, I do blame WIBW and not Cox for the increase we will see.
Posted by: BW on Mar 13, 2008 at 11:52 PM
Thanks!
Posted by: JC Location: NE Kansas on Mar 13, 2008 at 11:40 PM
OH! Knock me over with a feather. (Hey guys, let's drag this out as long as we can, let's extend the "deadline" another week, let's pretend like everybody is going to lose their precious television and die of loneliness, and then in the end, we will all stuff each others pockets with the money we fleece from the "sheeples" and keep the formalities a secret!) WIBW, you have completely lost any credibility with me. You should have said, "TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT" rather than play these silly self serving business games, load one another with free publicity and in the end, cave in to COX cable. At least your "SECRET" is safe with us.
Posted by: Curt Location: Topeka on Mar 13, 2008 at 11:06 PM
I am very pleased to see that WIBW and Cox have worked out an agreement on the re-transmission rights. For those who are now crying about what it will cost them as cable subscribers I offer a suggestion, drop Cox cable and put your antenna back up so you can have your precious free signal. I choose cable for the convienence of finding all the channels I prefer in one package. Put yourself in shoes of WIBW, I suspect you might look at this a litte differently if it your product. Imagine spending many years and countless dollars, developing a first rate product and then having someone take it for free and profit from your work. I applaud WIBW for sticking to your guns!
Posted by: Rick Location: topeka on Mar 13, 2008 at 11:03 PM
it's about damn time, i was starting to get tired of hearing about it, and i'm sure i am not the only one
Posted by: Robert Location: Manhattan on Mar 13, 2008 at 09:52 PM
Thanks!
Posted by: Kasey Location: Topeka on Mar 13, 2008 at 09:13 PM
You guys are pathetic. "The terms of the agreement are confidential." Of course they are because you painted yourselves into a corner, and had to swallow your chicken liver pride to get out of it. WIBW is going on my remote's "skip channel" list.
Posted by: James on Mar 13, 2008 at 09:11 PM
James you must work for Cox Cable, there's no way you can be confused and think that Cox won this dispute, who's paying who? Duh!!
Posted by: Amy Location: Topeka on Mar 13, 2008 at 09:03 PM
I was wanting to know if this agreement with COX means that the cost of WIBW will be then passed on to me the consumer? I think it would have been nice for the consumers to actually hear all the details so that we could make a informed decision on what we actually want. I was very upset at first thinking it was COX causing the problem, but it seems that maybe WIBW was the one being unreasonable wanting us to pay for something that is free in the air. But to make a fair deicision it would be nice to have the actual facts. I realize the actual deal is confidential. But the facts would be nice to know. Then I would be able to make the decision if I would prefer to have satilite as my carrier. Please respond.
Posted by: Citizen Location: Topeka on Mar 13, 2008 at 08:49 PM
BOOO. How much is this going to cost me as a consumer? Disclosure please.
Posted by: CableFan Location: Manhattan on Mar 13, 2008 at 08:44 PM
This whole mess leaves a bad taste in my mouth. While I'm glad I'll still have access to CBS network programming, I've already switched to another local news station and won't be tuning back in to WIBW anytime soon. At least the battle is over. In the end, I suspect we the cable subscribers are the only ones who lost. We'll be the ones paying the higher fees for a mediocre local news station that we'd be glad to live without. And as far as the upcoming severe weather season goes, COX cable equips our city with an emergency broadcast alert system and our local radio station provides excellent severe weather coverage. We'll live.
Posted by: Julie Location: Perry Ks on Mar 13, 2008 at 08:38 PM
I am happy to see cox cable and wibw have came to an agreement, i watch 6,10 and a lot of shows that are on the cbs lineup csi,coldcase,bigbrother etc.. and if you didnt reach an agreement i would not be able to see the new shows that i like so i thank you
Posted by: David Location: Topeka on Mar 13, 2008 at 08:25 PM
SAFE and INFORMED? Isnt that KSNT's logo? WIBW took the low road on their commercials, they showed their true colors. Not a station I will spend a lot of time watching.
Posted by: Kevin Location: Topeka on Mar 13, 2008 at 08:15 PM
I find it interesting that Jimmy Ogle now decides to show his face and take all the credit after throwing poor Rob Peppers out in the fire. Ogle should do the right thing and leave the station. Rob Peppers has already shown he can do the job of GM. I hope I am speaking for a majority of television viewers in your market that we will not forget this. Its my hope that WIBW/Gray Comm cease to exist in this market. Every chance I get I will be filing complaints against WIBW with the FCC.
Posted by: Linda Location: Topeka on Mar 13, 2008 at 07:31 PM
YEAH!!! I am sooo excited that WIBW will still be our #1 News and weather leader.I had been waiting all day to hear.Thank Goodness!! I've been watching WIBW for over 50 years, and would have been lost without you guys.Not only will we be able to wach the basketball games, but spring storm season is right on us, Im relieved to know you will be around to keep us SAFE AND INFORMED!! It really will be a great weekend!! Thanks WIBW!!!
Posted by: James on Mar 13, 2008 at 07:24 PM
Well, I suppose all of those that switched to dish are kicking themselves. I knew Cox would come out on top and won't be bullied around by any station who takes the 'low road' as far as tactics that harm the image of Cox Communications. I give Cox a bravo for keeping their negotiations private, and not levying its customers' time against a worthless battle that ended up being settled over a contract.
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