National Changes Affect Local TV Station

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Amy Moan                                                                                                 Heather Tweedy
Marketing and Public Relations Manager                                                   Agency Media Representative
Phone: 402.426.6429                                                                                Phone: 402.301.7320
Email: amoan@gpcom.com                                                                        Email: heather@brightskyinteractive.com

National Changes Affect Local TV Station

December 23, 2011 (Grant, Neb.) – Due to agreements determined by FOX Broadcast and its affiliates, many residents will experience a change in their local FOX station.

Residents who currently see local FOX programming from Denver affiliate KDVR will soon be seeing a new local FOX station. Market exclusivity agreements created by FOX and its affiliates will result in these residents switching from KDVR broadcasting from Denver to KFXL, which broadcasts out of Lincoln, Neb.

The decision is made by the national broadcaster, in this case FOX, and its collection of local affiliate TV stations. Cable and satellite companies that air the signal are unable to contest what affiliate is assigned as the local TV station for a particular market.

“We understand how frustrating this is for customers who prefer the Denver station; however current laws give FOX full discretion in these decisions. This is an issue that is currently being reviewed by Washington and we encourage consumers to make their opinions on this issue known,” said LeaAnn Quist, Director of Cable Services at Great Plains Communications.

The company encourages consumers who would like to contact their local senators and the FCC commissioners about this to visit www.gpcom.com/retransmission for access to additional information and materials.

Great Plains Communications is the largest independent telecommunications company in Nebraska and provides services solely to rural areas. It offers residential services such as digital phone including local and long-distance calling, as well as high-definition cable television. Broadband Internet is available in all Great Plains Communications’ communities through DSL and cable modem facilities or its partnership with WildBlue Satellite Internet Services. The company also provides business services ranging from traditional voice and data products to the installation and support of large business networks. With 100 years of experience, the company currently serves 90 communities with 200 employees throughout Nebraska.