Comcast Drops Oakland Fox TV Station From Local Lineup

Comcast is dropping KTVU-TV, the Fox affilated television station located in Oakland, from the local channel lineup according to a release sent to Patch, and confirmed with Comcast Director of Communications Bryan Byrd. Here's the release:

Comcast Media Statement:

"We wanted to make you aware that Comcast is making a change to a local TV station on December 12. This will affect the Monterey – Salinas - Santa Cruz area.

In the Monterey-Salinas DMA, our cable system has been carrying two Fox affiliates (the local Fox station for the market - KCBA-TV, Fox 35 from Monterey; and KTVU-TV, Fox 2 from San Francisco) that broadcast the same Fox national content.

As a general rule, the Fox broadcast network currently restricts Fox affiliated stations’ from being carried on cable systems outside their local market.

As a result, on or around December 12, 2013, Comcast plans to cease carriage of KTVU, Fox 2 in the Monterey-Salinas-Santa Cruz DMA. Viewers in those areas will continue to have access to Fox network programming, as well as the KTVU News, on Monterey-Salinas affiliate KCBA, Fox 35.”

Questions and Answers

1.    Why did my city lose access to KTVU?

In your city, Comcast has been carrying two Fox affiliates (KCBA-TV, Fox 35 from Monterey; and KTVU-TV, Fox 2 from San Francisco) that broadcast the same Fox national content.  As a general rule, the Fox broadcast network currently restricts Fox affiliated stations’ from being carried on cable systems outside their local market.  As a result, Comcast plans to cease carriage of KTVU in your city.

2.    Does this mean I won’t be able to watch American Idol or San Francisco 49ers football games? 

No.  Both of those programs, and many others, are Fox network programming and will continue to be available on KCBA-TV, Fox 35.

3.    Can’t Comcast just leave KTVU up and just blackout duplicate programming? 

Unfortunately, such a scenario creates technical issues, particularly with live sporting events, news, etc.  Once Comcast is required to blackout duplicate programming on a station, we generally replace that’s station’s programming with other services.

4.    How can I continue to watch news from the San Francisco Bay Area? 

Starting December 1, the KTVU Morning News (M-F: 5AM-9AM; SUN 7AM-10AM) and the KTVU 10 O’ClockNews will also be seen locally on KCBA FOX 35 (Cable Channel 3 and in High-Definition on Channel 702). When Comcast ceases carriage of KTVU, Fox 2 in the DMA, viewers will still be able to see KTVU news programs on KCBA FOX 35.

Viewers can also visit KTVU’s website at http://www.ktvu.com/  or download the free KTVU app to continue to access KTVU news.  The site features videos of major stories, as well as written stories.

5.    How will Comcast notify customers?  

Comcast will notify local customers via bill messages, channel crawls, and in ads in local newspapers.

6.    Is dropping duplicative channels a new Comcast strategy?

No.  Comcast has ceased carrying duplicative stations in the past.  Two years ago, Comcast ceased carrying the duplicative San Francisco ABC affiliate (KGO-TV, ABC 7) in these markets.                                                                                         

7.    What will customers in affected areas see when they tune to the channel where KTVU, Fox 2 used to be?

After 11:59 pm on December 12, 2013, customers will see a slate notice directing them to their in-market FOX affiliate – KCBA-TV, Fox 35.

8.    The two affiliates carry the same three hours of Fox prime time programming, but have different programming the rest of the time.  How I can access all of the other content?

The vast majority of the remaining programming is syndicated and already airs on other stations in your DMA.

9.    Why wouldn’t the eliminated station be KCBA-TV, Fox 35? 

Comcast does not define the television market.  The boundaries for television markets, or “DMAs” (Designated Market Areas), are set by Nielsen Media Research and utilized by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).  Even though affected areas may feel like they belong to a different DMA, we have to abide by the official DMA boundaries.

10.  Are there plans to replace KTVU, Fox 2 with another channel?  If so, with what?

Plans for that channel space have not been decided at this time.

11.  Is there going to be a price change since a station is going away? 

The price will remain the same for customers.

12.  Is this change an effort to save money?

No.  Comcast currently carries two Fox affiliates airing duplicative content and our ability to continue to carry the out-of-market station is restricted.