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By STEVE

SCHULWITZ

News Staff Writer

Charter Communications and Alpena's WBKB have been affiliated since the cable giant provided its service in Michigan. Now local viewers are looking at the realization of not having its regional CBS channel available via cable.

Every three-years the station classifies itself to Charter. It can categorized as a must carry station, or re-transmission consent status. The consent status means the two parties must reach a mutual agreement in regards to broadcasting and funds.

WBKB has chosen the later and has informed Charter it must drop the channel from its packages as of Dec. 31 if an agreement isn't in place.

"We got notification that they wanted to have the signal off the air on December 31," Charter Spokes Person Tim Ransberger said. "We are continuing to hope for a positive solution though."

WBKB General Manager Cher Allen understands the cable provider's concerns, but also looks at expenses the station pays to bring quality programming to Northeast Michigan.

"We are seeking a small fee," Allen said. "We have cost constraints and pay broadcast fees to air CBS sports, Wheel of Fortune and Dr. Phil. Most stations are seeking compensation from the cable companies."

Allen said the station would like to have a long term deal with Charter.

"We are seeking a five-year deal and they aren't opposed to it," Allen said. "But first we have to agree on all terms."

The station is moving in the direction to converting to a stronger digital-signal and it has become an issue between the two.

"In this cycle's agreement how and what terms we have for carrying digital is a topic of discussion," Ransberger said. "It is coming into play at this point."

Allen claims the station is on track and will meet the Feb. 17-deadline to be fully digital.

"We have all the digital equipment ordered and paid for," Allen said. "We already operate in digital, but this would make it stronger for the outlying areas. We would have liked to had it ready earlier, but we will make the deadline."

If Channel 11 chooses to sever its relationship with Charter , its viewers will still be able to be enjoy it locally, with the proper equipment of course.

"The immediate fix for our viewers is you can get us off air with an antenna or rabbit-ears," Allen said. "There is no search for another cable operator at this time."

WBKB has been running a 30-second spot informing its viewers of the impending change, but Allen and Ransberger hold out hope a resolution can be discovered.

I am so hoping we can reach an agreement and I think they do also," Allen said. "I think we have just hit a small hump, but we can overcome it. Our relationship with Charter in the past has always been good. They are good people over there."

Ransberger echoed Allens thoughts and, although there may have to be some give-and-take by each side, a deal can be struck.

"We asking and receiving are two different things," Ransberger said. "We conduct hundreds of these each three-year cycle and very few result in the two parties not reaching an agreement, because it is beneficial to both. When things break down completely however, it is the customer left in the middle. We are going to do everything to find a suitable agreement as so the customer isn't impacted."

Steve Schulwitz can be reached via e-mail at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689.