TDS did not reach an agreement with Gray Television, which owns KGWN, a CBS affiliate, that is carried in Fort Collins, Colorado. KGWN-CBS is on channel 5/605 and will no longer be part of the Limited Basic lineup in Fort Collins. This is effective at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2017.
KGWN is out of the Cheyenne, WY designated market area (DMA) and Fort Collins is in the Denver DMA.
Our reasons for removing the channel are twofold:
- The majority of the content is the same on both in-market and out-of-market stations. TDS simply cannot afford to distribute and pay for the same programming twice.
- The local content offered by KGWN that our customers may be interested in is available online where customers can watch previously aired local programming.
In Fort Collins, the equivalent in-market CBS channel is KCNC-CBS on channel 4/504 out of Denver.
We understand that this station’s news, weather, sports and other content may be of interest to you. While the station will no longer be available in your lineup, KGWN has a website with their local news: www.kgwn.tv and an interactive app – KGWN News. When they are not broadcasting, the most recent newscast will replay until their next broadcast.
TDS is always looking for ways to keep your overall bill as low as possible. With this and every negotiation, TDS is advocating on your behalf for fair and reasonable rates. Steep increases in programming costs are a constant concern and we will continue to keep your pocketbook in mind.
Thank you for your patience and support as we keep working on your behalf. And, as always, thank you for being a TDS customer.
Q & A
Why do you have to drop this station?
This station is licensed to serve a different television market, which means it is considered out of your local broadcast area. You had been receiving this station as part of a business agreement with the station’s owner, but the agreement has ended, and we can no longer offer this out-of-market station on your lineup. In addition, the majority of the content is the same on both in-market and out-of-market stations. TDS simply cannot afford to distribute and pay for the same programming twice.
What makes a broadcaster or station out-of-market?
Any broadcaster that is located in, and broadcasts from, a different television market than the one you live in is considered an “out-of-market” broadcaster. This means that in addition to the stations you receive from within your primary television market, you may also receive stations from out-of-market broadcasters who happen to have signals that reach your area.
What is a television market and who determines the boundaries?
Television markets are also known as Designated Market Areas (DMAs) and are not limited by state lines or other geographic boundaries.
A DMA is a geographic area that represents specific television markets as defined by and updated annually by the A.C. Nielsen Company. All municipalities are assigned to a primary DMA. Accordingly, customers receive broadcast channels based on the municipality in which they live. TDS does not control the designation of DMAs or determine to which DMA a municipality is assigned.
Can I still watch the station’s programming?
While this station will no longer be available in your lineup, KGWN has a website with their local news: www.kgwn.tv and an interactive app – KGWN News. When they are not broadcasting, the most recent newscast will replay until their next broadcast.
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