FPB Agrees to Continue Carriage of Local Networks

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The FPB Board of Directors voted to keep all current network TV affiliates on the cable lineup.

At Tuesday’s Board of Director’s meeting, FPB staff discussed retransmission consent agreements between the provider and the local network affiliates in Lexington and Louisville. The agreements are renewed every three years. This year’s negations included three Louisville networks (WAVE-NBC, WHAS-ABC, and WLKY-CBS) and four in Lexington (WDKY-FOX, WKYT-CBS, WLEX-NBC, and WTVQ-ABC).

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The current agreements expire December 31 of this year. Reaching these agreements allows FPB to continuing carrying these networks with no interruption for the next 36 months.

FPB did not pay retransmission consent fees from 1952-2008. In January of 2009, local affiliates began requesting fees for carriage permission. Since the first round of negotiations in 2009, providers have increased their fee requests from networks at amazing rate (see chart).

After receiving the first round of contract demands, FPB conducted a phone survey of customers through a third party. Survey results and a reduction of the original demands through successful negotiations led FPB Board of Directors to the decision to retain all of the networks.

The retransmission fees, which are a separate line item on FPB customer bills and a direct pass through from the networks to customers, will go from $4.32 per month in 2014 to $9.93 in February 2015. While this increase is substantial, FPB was successful in getting the original ask lowered considerably. FPB Assistant General Manager of Cable-Telecom John Higginbotham said staff should be commended. “The total of the combined original ask would have seen an overall increase from around $800,000 in 2014 to $2.3 million in 2015. We were able to reduce that by nearly a half a million dollars during our negotiations.” Higginbotham continued, “Every provider around the country is going through this issue and while it is a very difficult negotiation, we feel like we got the best deal we could get.”

Scam Alert

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FPB customers need to be aware of a possible scam in the Frankfort area. We have received reports of businesses being approached by someone claiming to represent FPB.  This person states the business owes for a bill and that they need to go and get a prepaid card and then provide them with the card's number.  FPB NEVER does business this way  Please be aware of this possible scam and If you have any questions, please call 352-4372.

Boil Water Advisory Canceled

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The Water Department of the Frankfort Plant Board is notifying you that the Division of Water of the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection has now canceled the Boil Water Advisory.

This Advisory was issued 12/16/14 due to the loss of pressure in the water main caused by Plant Board crews repairing a water main break.

The streets affected were:

  • Mallard Dr from 136 Mallard Dr to 304 Mallard Dr
  • 100 Cinnamon Teal Ct

If you should have any questions or problems with normal service or water quality please call 352-4372 or 352-4433

Boil Water Advisory

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The Water Department of the Frankfort Plant Board advises to boil the water before drinking or using it for cooking. The advisory is in effect for the following area:

Mallard Drive from 136 Mallard Dr to 304 Mallard Dr

A vigorous boil for at least two minutes is recommended. This Boil Water Advisory is a precautionary measure due to a loss of pressure in the water main caused by a water main break.

This Advisory will remain in effect until lab analysis of water samples taken confirms that the potable water supply in the effected area is safe to drink. You will receive a notice when this advisory is lifted.

If you have any questions concerning the Boil Water Advisory please call 352-4372 or 352- 4433

 

Channel 19 Weatherscan Update

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The Weather Channel advised FPB this afternoon that they are completing the authorization process on the replacement unit for channel 19 and plan to ship the device to FPB Friday.  FPB expects to receive and install the receiver and return Weatherscan to channel 19 next week. We will provide updates when the receiver arrives.

Continued patience by our customers is greatly appreciated by FPB as we wait for Weatherscan to complete their work.

Weatherscan Channel 19 Update

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FPB continues to ask for customer patience while it works through an equipment problem for Weatherscan on channel 19.  FPB will resolve the technical issue upon receiving and installing replacement equipment from Weatherscan.  Once installed, FPB will restore Weatherscan to channel 19 with 24/7 current conditions, local forecast and radar.  Until that time, FPB will continue to run a simulcast of The Weather Channel from channel 49 on channel 19. Thank you again for your patience while we make repairs.