Will Time Warner Take Away Colbert?

Say goodbye to the Colbert Report, Spongebob Squarepants and yes, even The City (we hardly knew ye), Gawker is reporting that "From New York to Los Angeles, Viacom channels like Comedy Central are set to flicker off cable systems in the first minute of 2009." The two companies have been not-so-publicly negotiating for some time, and now the network is holding their channels hostage.

On Time Warner's site, they note: "We are negotiating earnestly, honestly and fairly with MTV Networks, but so far have been unable to reach an agreement or get an extension. MTV Networks may pull these channels from your lineup on January 1st." Their explanation, which can be read in full after the jump, includes Viacom wanting to charge more for their channels despite decreased ratings.

Viacom issued a statement as well, explaining: "We have asked for an increase of less than 25 cents per month, per subscriber, which adds up to less than a penny per day for all 19 of MTV Networks’ channels. We make this request because TWC has so greatly undervalued our channels for so long." Hmm, maybe if they didn't substitute John Norris with Whitney Port we'd consider loosening the change purse a bit.

The network has also released an ad campaign that includes some of their Nickelodeon cartoon characters crying, to which the Wall Street Journal says: "While programmers and operators often battle fiercely over contract renewals, Viacom's campaign is notable in its willingness to pull children into the debate."

• MTV Networks wants our customers to pay millions more. They are currently demanding price increases that are nearly triple the rate of increase under our current agreement. These increases would be excessive even in a strong economy, but given the current conditions, it’s simply not fair to our customers.
• MTV’s demands are outrageous and would force our customers to pay millions of dollars more per year. MTV’s networks are not worth so much more today than they were yesterday, especially given the fact that their ratings are mostly declining in recent years.

• Much of their popular programming is also available for free online. In this economy, we don’t believe it’s appropriate to ask our customers to pay so much more for programming with declined ratings or that's available for free.

• We’ve successfully negotiated hundreds of programming agreements with other cable networks, many within the last few months. Our hope is that we will come to an agreement with MTV Networks that is fair to our customers.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in News on December 31, 2008 12:37 PM

Comments [rss]

jzny

MTV has been over for years...btw, the John Norris interview was excellent!

theevilone

This is quality Sunday morning hangover TV. No more Celebrity Rehab or Rock of Love? Tragic.

Cakemuss

Not likely to pass that discount onto their subscribers are they? hummm...

Spirit of 76

No surprise. Just two media giants (which happen to own two competing film studios) butting heads. The only channel I'd even vaguely miss is TV Land, and that's just a shadow of its former self. How a channel that once featured classic TV shows now shows Scrubs five nights a week is beyond me.

NannyState

What the hell happened to them anyway? "Original programming"? Isn't the point of TV Land that we don't have to suffer through that crap? And I gave up on them when they ran Sanford and Son everyday for the last six years.

r1b2

Maybe the gentry will realize there actually is more to life than TV.

Gothamist_Cynic

Fuck Viacom and their greedy pockets. They love to ruin once good things from MTV to Adult Swim.

TN

Right, most of us will miss "The Hills", "The City" and "Real World: Brooklyn". I hope TW stands firm, even if that means a few weeks/months without these crappy channels.

GaryK

Since Bloompig is solving the economic crisis and the Arab-Israeli conflict maybe he should step and and solve this one too. With all of his experience with broadcasting, I'm sure Bloompig can make sure his buddies stuff more money in their pockets and we get stuck with the bill.

NYRefugee

Sorry My Superiors inform me that I must make your suffering LEGENDARY in cable HELL!!!

DanielJ

I WANT MY MTV!!!

NannyState

Oh no you don't.

Unless you're a total douchebag.

tigger2970

I've never been more happy that I dumped TWC for Verizon Fios. And Fios is cheaper for more channels and faster internet. Switch if and when you can, TWC can go to hell.

zodak

let me make this easy for you people:

for the daily show click here

for the colbert report click here

for spongebob squarepants click here

happy new year

Rocknrope

As much as I like the Interwebs, I'd much rather sit on my couch and watch it on a regular TV screen than plopped in front of my monitor for even more hours in a day.

Felix Hoenikker

Most modern TVs have inputs that will take PC video output.

Trilby16

Thank you!

JenChungsBaby

That's not easy enough for me. What does that red "click here" mean?

Rocknrope

I can't believe more people aren't pissed that The Daily Show will be gone from the airwaves. F Colbert, I'm not a big fan of that show, but give me Jon, Aasif, Riggle and the rest.