In an effort to promote over-the-air DTV sets and LIN TV’s broadc...
In an effort to promote over-the-air DTV sets and LIN TV’s broadcast stations, the company formed a co-marketing arrangement with Bernie’s stores in Providence, R.I. in what one industry executive called an unusual marketing plan. Under the partnership, Bernie’s…
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customers pay $219 and receive a discounted ATSC-equipped Samsung set and an indoor antenna. LIN TV Chmn. Gary Chapman said the deal will last through the Super Bowl. Broadcasters have been criticized for not marketing over-the-air DTV with large retailers. CBS TV Exec. VP Marty Franks said he has been working with major retailers 6 years on a co-marketing deal. “But I haven’t been able to get a single one to sign up.” LIN TV is negotiating similar arrangements with retailers in other markets, Chapman said, but wouldn’t provide details. Bernie’s is absorbing the costs of the discounted sets and displaying DTV in 3 Providence stores in exchange for promotions on LIN’s 2 stations in the market -- WNAC-TV (Fox) and WPRI-TV (CBS). The stations’ websites also provide links about how to obtain HD sets. LIN TV and Bernie’s also are promoting DTV over free TV. - - TP