News Corp, Cablevision To Talk As Channels Remain Dark

Hey, Giants fans who subscribe to Cablevision: You may need to watch today's 1 p.m. game against the Detroit Lions away from home, because News Corp. channels like WNYW Fox 5 and WWOR 9 are still dark. The two sides have been at odds over how much Cablevision should pay News Corp.—Cablevision claims that News Corp. is demanding $150 million, up from $70 million—and whether the two sides should go into arbitration (Cablevision wants it, News Corp. doesn't). Now, more than 24 hours after News Corp. pulled its channels from Cablevision, the companies are supposed to resume negotiations today.

Cablevision subscribers hoping to see the Giants' NLCS Game 1 win over the Phillies were out of luck last night—according to Media Decoder, the companies met yesterday but broke off talks, with News Corp. saying, "No material progress was made and we remain far apart." Cablevision's executive vice president of communications said last night, “It is shameful for News Corp. to use Major League Baseball and NFL games to hold viewers hostage in order to extract tens of millions from Cablevision customers. We have accepted the bipartisan calls from scores of political leaders to reach a fair agreement through binding arbitration, and demand that News Corp. also agree and immediately return its Fox programming to Cablevision customers.”

Cablevision customers getting the shaft seem split on who to blame: Newsday spoke to a few, and a Giants fan said, "I think it's outrageous that they're denying fans around New York... the game. I think it's ridiculous. Fox needs to let go a little bit. I blame Fox," while an overall Fox 5 viewer said, "[Cablevision is] holding Fox and Channel 5 and Channel 9 ransom. I think it's good they're fighting back. I'm upset. We should be getting all those channels. It's not right. I don't blame Fox. I blame Cablevision."

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By Jen Chung in News on October 17, 2010 9:20 AM

Comments [rss]

Matvey

It doesn't really matter what ends up happening, since Cablevision is just going to pass along whatever they paid to us (the subscribers) anyway. Dolan and Murdoch both get to go swimming in a pile of money.

Bill

I'm no great lover of the cable company, but anyone who blames Cablevision for this fundamentally misunderstands the problem.

soxinthecity

The fan in the ad looks like Jim Dolan with a hangover.

Spirit of 76

He actually looks like he should get up from the couch, go out and get some sun and exercise.

jrrrrz

fuck 'em both. private torrent tracker for shows, rabbit ears for live sports. I do not have cable and I'ma watch the hell out of some football today.

Guest

elsewhere, those i-do-not-watch-tv-or-cable guys are secretly celebrating, with many carrying out their daily chores with brand new enthusiasm and glistening in the eyes.

Spirit of 76

My TV hasn't been on since the evening news on Friday. Heheheh!

Intangible

FYI...plug in any old school coax antenna to your brand new HD tv and get the HD signal from the air. It is completely foolish to spend hundreds of dollars each month for cable programming when air HD is free. The internet has tons of content plus you can have the 8.99 netflix plan with unlimited watch instantly. Get out of the dark ages with cable!!!!

thelexiphane

A note to those thinking that the Internet will be the ultimate (or even temporary) backstop to this problem: FOX has pulled its programming (e.g. "Glee", "House", "Fringe") from Hulu.com for customers who get broadband Internet from Cablevision.

Phil

I can't defend one selfish corporation with another. NewsCorp & Murdoch certainly has a lot more money than Cablevision & The Dolans. But what's there to like about a cable provider anyway. The fight is over retransmission fees of broadcast stations that are free. If you have an antenna (digital) you can pick them up for free anyway. Still this fight will not end with Cablevision. NewsCorp will be hitting everyone up. Time for government regulations to step in. And if NewsCorp wants to pull out altogether well it's their money they are losing. I noticed that Fox News is still trumpeting it's nonsense on Cablevision, however. Wouldn't want to upset the right wingers by cutting them off . . .