UPDATED: Cablevision Looks To Serve Up Tennis Channel For the U.S. Open
Operator Invokes Network's NCTC Contract For Sports Tier Positioning
Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 8/26/2009 2:32:29 PM
Cablevision subscribers may get a chance to see Tennis Channel's coverage of the U.S. Open next week after all.
Availing itself of the network's agreement with the National Cable Television Cooperative, Cablevision has opted to add Tennis Channel to its iO Sports Pak, which includes 15 other networks and retails for $5.99 monthly.
Cablevision would like to position Tennis on channel 399 in standard-definition and 795 in the high-definition format, beginning Friday Aug. 28, three days before the 2009 U.S. Open begins, should Tennis provide its signal. Cablevision said Tennis is required to do so by its contract with NCTC, which negotiates programming deals for member cable operators.
Tennis Channel on Wednesday afternoon issued the following statement:
“Tennis Channel is flattered to be so desired by Cablevision that the MSO has, it seems, for the first time in its history, joined a buying co-operative of operators much smaller than itself to pursue a single, independent network. While we strongly agree with Cablevision that their viewers would like to watch Tennis Channel’s 240 hours of US Open programming beginning this Monday at 11 a.m. ET, we’re uncertain of the highly suspect nature of their recent commitment to a co-op for smaller operators. As such, we are reviewing the specifics of this questionable announcement with our legal team before making further comment.”
For its part, NCTC returned Tennis' volley thusly: "NCTC would prefer to facilitate a resolution through private discussions with Tennis Channel. Jeff Abbas, NCTC president and CEO, has some concerns with Ken Solomon’s statements and he will pursue those discussions directly with Mr. Solomon."
Both Cablevision and NCTC indicated that the operator only recently became a member of the cable coop.
A Cablevision spokesman said the operator had informed NCTC of its intention to avail itself of the contract clause this morning, and similarly communicated its wont to Tennis.
The sports network ran print ads last week decrying its inability to come to terms with the New York area's predominant cable operator, and how area tennis fans would miss its extensive coverage of the Grand Slam event, which includes some 72 hours of live match coverage.
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Commenters - Cablevision agreed to carry the Tennis Channel a long time ago on these tiers; the Tennis Channel wouldn't agree because they wanted wider distribution - to 40% of Cablevision's subscribers instead of the 10% they'll now get. Cablevision figured out how to do an end run and carry the Tennis Channel in the very limited way it wanted without a direct agreement with the Tennis Channel. Cablevision wasn't pressured into anything, nor did they change what they were willing to agree to from a month ago or probably even a year ago. They just figured out a clever, and possibly unethical, way to do what they always wanted to do.
Greg - 8/27/2009 4:03:05 AM EDT -
I am so proud of NY Tennis Fans! They were ablel to successfully hit Cablevision hard and force them to add this channel. Its about time that we got something we wanted out of these bloated monopolistic cable companies. Personally, I recommend getting a less out-dated service provider, but if your forced to have Cablevision, at least now you can watch tennis!
Linda Black - 8/26/2009 7:19:45 PM EDT -
Great timing. After weeks of whining, Cablevision decides to carry the U.S. Open. In other words, it was a struggle to get there, but in the end they did what any other reasonable cable provider would have done right away. What a bunch of criminals. They bring the same mentality to their customer base. NY could not have a worse cable company
Jenny - 8/26/2009 6:25:33 PM EDT
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