SALISBURY, Md.- Atlantic Broadband, the local cable provider serving viewers in Talbot, Queen Anne's and Kent counties in Maryland, has decided to return WBOC-TV to its channel lineup after dropping the CBS affiliate in late December. The two sides have reached accord on a long-term agreement to keep WBOC-TV on the cable provider.
“We thank Atlantic Broadband for putting their customers first,” said Craig Jahelka, VP/GM of WBOC-TV. “Those customers told the cable company that the local information WBOC-TV provides every day is vital to them, and Atlantic Broadband listened. We admire and appreciate their prompt response to this situation.”
“We'd also like to thank those who expressed concern with the loss of WBOC on Atlantic Broadband,” Jahelka added. “We are the only CBS affiliate providing local news, severe weather and sports coverage, school closings, and local programming here, and we are thrilled to be able to continue serving Atlantic Broadband customers on Delmarva.”
WBOC was removed from Atlantic Broadband's lineup on Dec. 31 after a lengthy local programming review. The company's decision factored in the presence of two other CBS affiliates in the area, as well as the ability for customers to access local content on WBOC.com, other broadcast networks available on Atlantic Broadband, and other news outlets.
“The strong feedback we received spoke to the importance of this station to the local community and we are pleased to announce that WBOC-TV is back on Atlantic Broadband,” said Atlantic Broadband's Vice President and General Manager Sam McGill. “Atlantic Broadband has been in this community for over 10 years and we have invested over $30M across the region to deliver the fastest Internet speeds available, an all-digital network offering nearly 300 channels plus the launch of in demand networks such as Big Ten Network, MASN and WMPT. With 40 local employees, we are committed to this region and are happy we could work with the WBOC-TV team to reach an agreement that works for all parties.”
Atlantic Broadband, which has roughly 12,500 subscribers in Talbot, Queen Anne's and Kent counties in Maryland, also carries CBS affiliates from Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
WBOC-TV is locally owned and operated by Draper Holdings, which also owns FOX21, WBOC Classics, and Loblolly, L.L.C.
About Atlantic Broadband
Atlantic Broadband, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cogeco Cable Inc. (TSX: CCA), is the 13th largest cable operator in the United States, based on number of Basic Cable customers served. The company provides TV, Internet and Phone services to more than 230,000 residential and business customers located in four operating regions: Western Pennsylvania, Miami Beach, Maryland/Delaware, and Aiken, S.C. Atlantic Broadband is headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts. Additional information is available at www.atlanticbb.com.
