DirecTV says ‘No’ to KJZZ TV

DirecTV users, say ‘bye-bye’ to KJZZ TV as DirecTV has turned KJZZ TV down on a retransmission consent agreement. The TV channel KJZZ-TV, is a local independent TV station that carries the Jazz basketball games, local sports and syndicated programming. Suspension of the TV program started at midnight Dec 31, 2008.

According to Chris Baum, General Manager of KJZZ-TV, “DirecTV has denied KJZZ TV a retransmission consent agreement. They have deemed that the 16 premiere Jazz games produced in High Definition and aired by KJZZ are of no value to their customers. Although DirecTV profits from KJZZ programming by way of monthly satellite fees to their subscribers, it has never paid for programming created or provided by KJZZ. We have established fair and reasonable agreements with the other satellite providers as well as many local cable companies. We are shocked by their decision.”

The news was covered at NBA.com and the officials are actually telling their fans to switch to ComCast or Dish Network for more NBA actions. In full words, here’s what written in NBA.com’s news release:

SALT LAKE CITY (December 31, 2008) -As of midnight, December 31, DirecTV will no longer carry KJZZ TV channel 14. If you are a DirecTV subscriber, you will not longer get any programming that KJZZ airs, including the 12 Utah Jazz games that are scheduled to run between now and April 10. DirecTV subscribers will either need to change to another cable / satellite provider (Dish Network, Comcast or other local cable company), or access the KJZZ signal free via a home TV antenna.

Cable and satellite providers normally pay TV stations for their programming content. DirecTV has not been compensating KJZZ for any of its programming and yet they are paying other local TV stations for their signals. KJZZ has requested that DirecTV pay a similar and fair fee to what they pay to other Salt Lake stations, but they have refused to do so. KJZZ TV has had a long standing agreement with Dish Network, Comcast and many other local cable companies, who do compensate KJZZ for carrying its signal.

If you are a DirecTV subscriber and want to complain to DirecTV, their number is: 1-800-531-5000

Jazz fans, I think you guys know what to do if you wish to stay close with your favorite basketball team.