Mediacom vs. Sinclair (KGAN-CR & DSM FOX)

[supersoul]

There is no chance whatsoever that Cedar Rapids or Waterloo Mediacom subscribers will get a different CBS feed than KGAN.

It's a geographical thing, with Iowa City being close enough to Rock Island, where WHBF is located. Also, enough measured counties bordering Iowa City must show measurable viewership of WHBF to allow their signal to be retransmitted by Mediacom.

Dubuque has a similar situation with the CBS affiliate in Madison, so they too won't miss any CBS programming. But Waterloo and CR are stuck without that option.

[ISUcyclone]

I disagree supersoul.
Technically Cedar Rapids is within the 47dBu grade B contour of WHBF (well, part of the city at least).  Terrain shouldn't matter in the FCC's eyes since coverage is only based upon radials extending 3-16 km and the low terrain in CR isn't taken into account by this figure.  As long as a portion of the city is covered and there is belief by Mediacom that there would be enough viewers, then the station can be carried.  (Didn't they already add WHBF?) I bet Mediacom would find a way to pull this one off, especially when listeners complain and demand carriage of WHBF.

As for waterloo, KIMT out of Mason City puts a 47dBu over the entire city.  Again, very plausible that Mediacom can claim that there are enough viewers in WL to justify carrying them.  I believe KIMT could ask that they be carried in WL.  KIMT could win big if they got WL advertisers.  Win-Win for both parties, meanwhile KGAN loses big.

As for KDSM, Mediacom is probably screwed.  KFXA doesn't come anywhere near Des Moines (although I have picked them up in Ames with a marginal signal).  Omaha and Ottumwa (KYOU is still FOX right?) would be even worse. 

I could be way off.  Unfortunately most of my knowledge is in the radio rules and not the TV rules. :-(

[scoobydude]

Supersoul is correct...at least of of this morning KGAN is gone from the Waterloo market.  Mediacom says they will fill the space in it's line-up with programming from some of it's other channels.  The timing of this really blows for those without rabbit ears or sat...NFL Wild Card Weekend underway, NCAA basketball..the Hawkeyes...I would love to be a fly on the wall at KGAN and Mediacom to hear the complaints coming in!!!

[supersoul]

The ability of Mediacom to carry alternative affiliates boils down to the Nielsen research estimates for bordering counties.

The FCC has a system in place and competing affiliates must have a certain percentage of viewers in neighboring counties to allow the carriage of an alternate.

That is why WHBF is now on in Iowa City, as the neighboring counties have a high enough percentage of WHBF viewers already. Obviously these are over the air viewers.

Cedar Rapids and Waterloo are screwed. As is DMS.