Barbourville Utilities, like all cable and satellite providers, is obligated to pay retransmission consent fees to local TV station broadcasters in order to transmit their signals. Barbourville Cable is currently in contract renegotiations with WATE 6, WYMT 57, WDKY FOX 56, WTVQ 36, WLEX 18, WKYT 27, WVLT 8, and WBIR 10. Our existing agreement will expire on December 31st, 2017. 

The laws governing retransmission fees are part of the 1992 Cable Act. This Act was written at a time when competition among TV Providers was limited and the internet was in its infancy. Many TV Stations are abusing these outdated rules to boost profits, demanding rate increases that will ultimately be passed on to you, the viewer. 

As Barbourville Cable nears the end of its current contract, local station owners are, in fact, making the request for exorbitant rate increases. However, we intend to maintain good-faith negotiations with WATE 6, WYMT 57, WDKY FOX 56, WTVQ 36, WLEX 18, WKYT 27, WVLT 8, WBIR 10 and we are optimistic that an agreement will be met before the expiration of our current contract. As your hometown cable provider, our goal will always be to offer more choice while keeping cost as low as possible. We will keep you updated as negotiations progress.