TWC's VP Taubkin replies to an email

[Skaggs]

He avoided answering any of my questions, but here is Mr. Taubkin's reply:

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From: Taubkin, Pete [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 11:32 AM
To: [e-mail]
Subject: RE: NY Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox on April 3, 2005

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the note…much appreciated. Consistent with previous replies to HD customers that have contacted me, I’ll respond by saying that at such time as we have anything to announce about additions to the HD tier, we will inform our customers. TWC HD customers have an opportunity to receive our HD online newsletter and I imagine some of your readers may already receive that. That newsletter would contain information about any announced additions…as would our website.

As for the games on WRGB HD, we will carry whatever game is delivered to us on 1806.

As for blackouts, we would be subject to the MLB blackout rules as they apply to this area. As these rules apply to regional networks, we generally get whatever game is delivered to us.

As always, we appreciate your interest in and comments on our service.

Thanks.

Peter M. Taubkin
Vice President
Government Relations & Public Affairs
Time Warner Cable -Albany
1021 High Bridge Road
Schenectady, NY 12303
[phone] -phone
[phone] -fax
[e-mail]
www.twalbany.com


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From: Mark Pyskadlo [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2005 4:26 PM
To: Taubkin, Pete
Subject: NY Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox on April 3, 2005

Mr. Taubkin:

The HD enthusiasts in the Albany area appreciate the recent efforts TWC has made to enhance our HD viewing by adding HD On-Demand and WRGB DT. We look forward to the continued addition of HD channels.

Would you please describe the possibility of viewers in Albany, NY being able to watch the subject game in HD?

First, has Albany TWC been in negotiations to add ESPN2 HD? When will this channel be included in the Albany TWC HD Tier?

Second, if Albany TWC has ESPN2 HD by April 3, 2005, will the subject game be blacked out on ESPN2 & ESPN2 HD in Albany?

Third, what is the status of YES HD being added to Albany TWC’s HD tier?

Will Albany TWC be able to show the 2005 Men’s NCAA basketball games in HD that are multicasted by WRGB? Last year they would show at least one game in HD, however instances did occur when the HD game being shown on 6-1 was not the same game being shown on analog channel 6. Also, if WRGB decides to show a second HD game on 6-2, will TWC be able to show the second HD game, too?

Thank you for your time and thoughts. I’d like to post your reply in the AlbanyHDTV forum.

Sincerely,

Mark Pyskadlo

[MasterFX1]

That's a lot of words with no answers. I do NOT work for TWC, but allow me to answer, as best I can, what Mr. Taubkin could not.

1. TW just did a huge Disney/ESPN deal... I don't see them likely to even entertain contract talks with them in the near future.

2. If YES has the rights to a game, and if YES is on TWC (HD or NOT) then the ESPN version(s) will be blacked out. If YES is not on TWC, then they cannot black it out. The rules about ticket sales only apply to the actual market the team and opponent are from (Albany, Schen, Troy are not part of the NYC or Boston TV markets) So if even if no one buys a ticket, that is not a reason to black it out in our market.

3. YES HD status... Not good. George wants additional money for the HD signal... We already know TWC's feelings about that. The demand for ESPN-HD was and is much greater than the demand for YES-HD... so the quick answer... no time soon.

4. Whatever is on analog OTA 6 will be on TWC channel 6. Whatever is on OTA 6-1 will be on TWC channel 1806. If 6-3 is used, it will not be on TWC. 6-2, however, I'm unsure of. It's technically possible for TWC channel 4 to display what's being fed to 6-2... So I guess it's up to WRGB and WNYA. I don't see WNYA having anything better to air, but they might be obligated to stick with their regulary scheduled program. TWC channel 4 will air whatever WNYA's feed to them has on it.