Log In   |  Register Free Newsletter Subscription
Skip navigation
Zibb
Subscribe to Multichannel News
RSS
Reprints/License
Print
Email

Sundance Chief Says Program Plans Proceed Despite Possible Sale

Ownership Change Is Nothing New For 12-Year-Old Network

By Linda Moss -- Multichannel News, 4/2/2008 5:54:00 AM

New York—In a day-late April Fool’s joke, Sundance Channel president Larry Aidem Wednesday offered a fake list of potential buyers for his network, a roster that included Wal-Mart and Denny’s.

Aidem first made light of Sundance’s potential sale during an upfront gathering for the press, and then he went on to say that the network has survived several previous ownership changes and is carrying on business as usual.

Aidem said that Sundance Channel’s upcoming programming plans, including its 2008-2009 development and acquisitions slate, were evidence “that we’re not missing a beat—in terms of what you might have heard or what might happen in terms of that.”

In late March, Pali Research analyst Rich Greenfield issued a report that said Sundance, which was co-founded by actor Robert Redford, was on the block for $400 million to $500 million.

NBC Universal has a 55% stake in the network, with CBS’s Showtime holding another 35% and Redford a 10% share.

At Sundance’s press breakfast, Aidem, known in the cable industry for his sense of humor, immediately addressed the sale issue.

“I’m just trying to get this out of the way upfront,” Aidem told reporters. “We refused to comment publicly on the recent sale rumors, and that’s not—for the most part—going to change today,”

“But I did feel at the beginning I owed it to you, because we gathered you here at a fairly early hour, and want to reveal for the first time the identities of several buyers you probably have not heard about,” he said.

Aidem said the names of possible buyers were culled from Forbes’s list of “least-admired companies.”

The joke list included Wal-Mart, Denny’s and USAir.

As for Denny’s, Aidem said, “Great food, great service, great people, and mention Bob Redford to your server and you’ll get a free fruity French toast on us.”

As for how USAir could use the network to its advantage in terms of slogans and its positioning, Aidem said, “We still suck, but with Sundance in every seat, perhaps you’ll find us slightly less contemptible.”

Then the Sundance Channel chief got serious.

“With all due respect to NBC Universal and CBS, they are the fourth Mommy and Daddy we’ve had, and fifth if you count the Viacom split two-and-a-half, three years ago,” Aidem said.

“We are used to changes in ownership…I can say only the most wonderful things about our parents and—just for the record—I call (NBCU president) Jeff Zucker ‘Mommy’ and (CBS CEO) Leslie [Moonves] ‘Daddy,’” Aidem said.

He then went on to say that Sundance Channel operates autonomously from its owners, with the one constant being Redford.

Offering a legitimate list of potential buyers, Greenfield last month said that Viacom, Time Warner and Cablevision Systems, which owns Sundance Channel competitor IFC, are all possible suitors for the network.

RSS
Reprints/License
Print
Email
Talkback
Related Content
More >>>

Reed Business Information Resource Center

Featured Company


Related Resources

Advertisement

Related Microsite Content

Related Links

More Content
  • Voices
  • Photos
  • Podcasts

Sorry, no blogs are active for this topic.

VIEW ALL VOICES RSS
HALL OF FAME WELCOME

2009 CABLE HALL OF FAME

Some snapshots from the 2009 Cable Hall of Fame induction, part of Cable Connection-Fall in Denver on Oct. 27.
HIGH ACHIEVER

2009 ACC FORUM

The Association of Cable Communicators headed west from Washington, D.C., to Denver as its 2009 Forum and Beacon Awards ceremony became part of Cable Connections-Fall festivities.
Curtain Rises

CTAM SUMMIT: DAY ONE

Snapshots from day one of CTAM Summit '09 in Denver. Photos by John Staley.

Fall 2009 Hispanic Guide
Advertisement
Multichannel Subscription
NEWSLETTERS
Multichannel Newswire
HD Update
Cable Technology
VOD Newsletter
Hispanic TV Update
HD Programming
Multicultural Newsletter
B&C NewsCentral
Television Careers



Please read our Privacy Policy

About Us   |   Advertising Info   |   Site Map   |   Contact Us   |   Subscription   |   Affiliate Links   |   RSS
© 2009 Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Use of this Web site is subject to its Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
Please visit these other Reed Business sites