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Viacom keeps cable nets on Time Warner
Time Warner customers dodged the bullet.
In a contract showdown, Viacom, which owns 19 cable networks on Time Warner’s lineup, had threatened to take a hike if the cable company didn’t agree to an increase in its carriage fees.
Word came just before the midnight deadline that a deal had been reached, and MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and all the other Viacom networks would remain.
On Wednesday customers saw a “crawl” warning viewers that the aforementioned channels would go dark at midnight if Viacom and Time Warner didn’t reach a deal. More than 13 million subscribers nationwide and 300,000 in Central Texas would have been affected.
Viacom demanded fee increases of about 25 cents per subscriber per month for its channels, according to The Associated Press. Time Warner said it would not pay more, claiming it would have to pass on that increase to customers. At this time we do not know whether Time Warner agreed to pay more or Viacom agreed to take less.
In November Time Warner had a similar smackdown with LIN TV, which owns our NBC affiliate KXAN and several other TV stations around the country. LIN wanted cash for carriage; Time Warner didn’t want to pay. At the end of the face-off, however, Time Warner did pay.
Whatever the contract resolution between Viacom and Time Warner, the result is that our cable lineup still includes “SpongeBob,” Jon Stewart and many hours of MTV reality shows. Happy New Year.
Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment Categories: Local news
Comments
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By Mike
January 2, 2009 11:34 AM | Link to this
Everyone is upset about time warner potentially loosing these channels... (which never happened)
Everyone forgets about Dish networks (formerly echostar) loosing these exact same channels in 2004 for 2 days for the same exact reason. For those of us in the business these companies are negotiating so that they can have as much profit possible while keeping their prices competitive. (especially now that TWC has so much competition)
Another person pointed out that this is a state problem... AT&T lobbied hard last session for a statewide license. Not TWC.
By Keith
January 2, 2009 8:52 AM | Link to this
Jeff - it's not Time Warner's fault...for once. Viacom is being the greedy one here...get your facts straight before blaming Time Warner. I hate Time Warner with a passion, but even I know they are the victim here. I sure would like to know who succumbed here...Time Warner or Viacom
By wait a minute
January 2, 2009 7:16 AM | Link to this
Jeff works for the Dish company, he's trying to advertise! smooth move exlax
By DKF
January 1, 2009 12:45 PM | Link to this
"By Jeff
January 1, 2009 1:03 AM | Link to this
For me, this is the last straw. I am sick and tired of Time Warner's greed and business tactics. DISH here I come."
Story: "Viacom demanded fee increases of about 25 cents per subscriber per month for its channels, according to The Associated Press. Time Warner said it would not pay more, claiming it would have to pass on that increase to customers."
You didn't read the story very well. Call them greedy if the channels had been removed and you saw no decrease in your bill.
By natty
January 1, 2009 8:58 AM | Link to this
This is a Texas problem folks. I called my city council to see if they could FINE TW for awful service (monopoly!!) just like cities in California do. The council said the contracts are decided by the State Legislature. Thank a CradDICK.
By Paul
January 1, 2009 8:49 AM | Link to this
I'm about to head to ATT Uverse, I think
By dennisl59
January 1, 2009 8:43 AM | Link to this
"At this time we do not know whether Time Warner agreed to pay more or Viacom agreed to take less."---So, when are we going to know?
Thank You.
HOLLOWAY: Non-disclosure agreements usually prevent this info from becoming public.
By badsky2k
January 1, 2009 8:10 AM | Link to this
Uh Jeff... read the story, it was Viacom that wanted the increase, not TW. Viacom is taking a hit with their ad revenue (go figure, it's a down economy) and wanted to make it up through the fee they charge TW to carry their programming.
If you ask me Viacom is the bad guy here mainly because they are trying to get their own "bail out package" direct from us!
Shame on Viacom for using this tactic. I think I will try to avoid their "products" as much as possible in the future.
By austinights
January 1, 2009 4:33 AM | Link to this
Both of these companies are corporate idiots. I think the nearly 100 comments posted by real viewers totally reflect the venemous attitude people have toward Viacom and Time Warner. I think a point is going to come when people simply watch shows online and won't really care what is on the tube. I'm already starting to feel that way now.
By Miguel
January 1, 2009 1:40 AM | Link to this
Thank goodness I won't miss out on any Bromance.
By Jeff
January 1, 2009 1:03 AM | Link to this
For me, this is the last straw. I am sick and tired of Time Warner's greed and business tactics. DISH here I come.