All My Children Discussion Group

Topic: Here we go again!!!

more from today...

In the continued cable retransmission battle between ABC Disney/WABC-TV and Cablevision threatening to affect viewers in the Tri-State area, both parties yesterday released statements in response to their own positions. Rebecca S. Campbell, President/GM of WABC-TV (ABC7) said, "It's time for Cablevision to stop spinning this issue and get serious about doing right by their customers. The fact is that, over and over again, Cablevision picks fights with programmers, and it is Cablevision subscribers who suffer the loss. The inconvenient truth about Cablevision is that it pockets hundreds of millions of dollars in subscriber fees each year by carrying ABC7. Dropping our station would be the latest insult. Their customers should know they have choices: They can switch service now and take their business to a provider that values them and isn't threatening them with the loss of programming every few months, or get us free-over-the-air."

Later yesterday afternoon, Cablevision issued this statement, "We believe Senator Kerry is correct and ABC Disney should not pull the plug and should work with us in good faith to reach an agreement that is fair for Cablevision customers. Cablevision already pays ABC Disney more than $200 million a year for their programming, and now they want $40 million in new fees, a 20 percent increase, for exactly the same channels. ABC Disney should not put viewers in the middle and instead work with us to reach agreement."

In addition, politicians are weighing in on the retransmission argument between ABC Disney/WABC and Cablevision. Congressman Joe Barton (R-TX), penned a letter to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. An excerpt from his letter states: "As the deadline approaches for the end of the retransmission consent negotiations over carriage of ABC signals within Cablevision's New York service area, I can lend my voice to those that have expressed hope they will reach a deal. I would also like to express my view, however, that actual discussion of the deal is best left between the respective companies and their viewers, free from government interference or cajoling. The alternative is to ask the government to weigh the relative value of carriage and of particular programming. This is a risky proposition."

the regular networks want money per subscriber like the cable networks are getting.  The TV networks are now losing money... of course they do it when something major is happening.  I also wonder if ABC would pull Soapnet as well (altho that is cable, their contract may prevent them from doing that).  But remember all of ABCs shows are available FREE online the following day. 

this is from a trade this morning...

Disney owned & operated WABC/New York, currently in the midst of cable retransmission talks with Cablevision, has announced that as of that as of 12:01 a.m. ET on Sunday, March 7, 2010, WABC may not be available on the Cablevision system in certain areas in the NY/CT/NJ.  WABC has issued the following statement from its Pres/GM Rebecca Campbell late Monday: 

"With the help of our viewers, we've built ABC7 into the most watched station in the country, and have been trying for two years to get Cablevision to acknowledge the station's value to their business.  Despite our best efforts, it has now become clear that Cablevision has no intention of coming to a fair agreement. We can no longer sit back and allow Cablevision to use our shows for free while they continue to charge their customers for them.   We've worked too hard and invested too many millions of dollars in programming and community outreach, to be taken advantage of any longer – especially since our viewers can watch their favorite ABC7 shows free, over-the-air, or by switching to one of Cablevision's competitors."

Cablevision responded with the following statement from Charles Schueler, EVP/Communications and Community Relations:

 "It is shocking that in these difficult economic times, ABC Disney is threatening to remove WABC unless Cablevision and its customers pay $40 million in new fees for programming that it offers today for free, both over-the-air and online.  It is not fair for ABC Disney to hold Cablevision customers hostage by forcing them to pay what amounts to a new TV tax.  We urge ABC Disney not to pull the plug and instead work with us to reach a fair agreement."

Stay tuned.

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Thanks. I was hoping you'd stop by with info. Sigh - not looking forward to going through this again. eom/WE

Thanks Kris for all the info.../Angela

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Posted by: PhoenixTamer
Date posted: Tue Mar 2 12:24:30 2010
Message:

Angela, I would be willing to BET something happens before the dealine...I jus't can't imagine otherwise.

 - chris

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One would hope because it's network but they pulled HGTV and The Food Network ON New Year's Day. I'm sure the Oscar broadcast will have an effect. If not I will HUNT them down! eom/WE

I hope you are right..but it makes me wonder when my bill will go up with all these new contracts??? we did get an increase b/f Food Network and that other network worked out there differences.../Angela

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Posted by: W.E.
Date posted: Tue Mar 2 12:13:44 2010
Message:

I saw a blurb last night but didn't realize it was THIS Saturday. No Oscars???!!!??? I'd better make plans.

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Yes, they mentioned it on The View this morning..and Eyewitness news at noon...I hope chris is right and it does not happen..What would I do w/out AMC and now DWTS returns and I love The View..and the list goes on and on..../Angela

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