ANALYST: TIME WARNER WILL WIN BATTLE WITH CBS

The CBS eye will go blind over Time Warner cable systems today (Monday) barring a last-minute breakthrough in negotiations between the television network and the cable system. While broadcasters have traditionally had the upper hand in dealing with cable providers over retransmission consent agreements, BTIG analyst Richard Greenfield said in a note to clients on […]

TRIBUNE’S WPIX REMAINS DARK IN NEW YORK

Another week and another stand-off between a cable or satellite distributor and a content provider. In this case, it’s New York-based Cablevision versus Tribune Corp, which owns WPIX in New York and WPHL in Philadelphia, cities where Cablevision operates. Statements from each side echoed those released during previous clashes between other cable and content companies. […]

TRIBUNE STATIONS REMAIN DARK ON DIRECTV

Stations owned by Tribune Corp. disappeared from the satellite service DirecTV on Sunday in a dispute over retransmission consent fees. Tribune owns 23 TV stations in the U.S., including several in top markets. Tribune President Nils Larsen said in a statement, “We don’t want anyone to lose the valuable programming we provide, but we simply […]

TRIBUNE STATIONS MAY GO DARK ON DIRECTV

A battle between Tribune Corp. and DirecTV over retransmission fees is coming down to the wire, with each side maintaining it will not budge another inch. Despite our best efforts, DirecTV is refusing to offer a fair deal and we remain far apart in negotiations,” Tribune Broadcasting President Nils Larsen said. If the two sides […]

DILLER PREPPING FOR A “GREAT FIGHT” WITH BROADCASTERS

Aereo, the new broadcasting service being launched by media mogul Barry Diller, maintained in a court filing on Monday that it is “entirely lawful” and that it plans to operate within regulatory guidelines. The Aereo system “rents” tiny antennas to users for $12 per month with which they can pick up over-the-air broadcasts and direct […]

CBS WANTS SMALLER CABLE NETS TO PAY FOR ITS RETRANSMISSION FEES

CBS is asking cable operators to use some of the funds that currently go to pay smaller, “niche” cable outlets to cover the cost of increased retransmission-consent fees to the networks, the New York Post reported today (Thursday), citing unnamed sources. The move, which CBS says would result in keeping cable rates to subscribers at […]

SATELLITE OPERATOR DIRECTV MAY LOSE STATIONS

Cable subscribers hoping to avoid getting caught in the crossfire between their providers and network affiliates over retransmission-consent fees by switching to satellite may have to rethink their strategy following word that three stations owned by Citadel Communications may be yanked from DirecTV next week. In a statement, Citadel warned its viewers in Des Moines […]