A Break In The Cablevision-Scripps Impasse?
Scripps Says New Talks Show Limited Progress
Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 1/6/2010 6:07:27 PM
Just when it seemed that the rift between Cablevision and Scripps Networks Interactive could only get wider, a Scripps spokeswoman offered some faint hope late Wednesday that a deal could be reached.
"We reached out to Cablevision and had a constructive meeting in Bethpage [N.Y., Cablevision headquarters] today," Scripps Networks spokeswoman Cindy McConkey said. "We made some limited progress and we continue to hope we can move this discussion forward."
The talks appear to be a major shift in the tone of the negotiations, which have been less than cordial in the past. Scripps has accused Cablevision of refusing to return to the negotiating table, answering every request with a "take-it-or-leave it" offer which Scripps has characterized as unacceptable.
Cablevision issued the following statement: "We met and we appreciated the opportunity to discuss these issues with Scripps. We can't comment specifically on the negotiations, except to say we again asked Scripps to return its programming to their viewers and unfortunately they did not agree."
Scripps pulled its channels from Cablevision at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 1 after it failed to reach a carriage deal. The two have been trading barbs ever since.
But like many carriage disputes, negotiations and stances can turn on a dime. As late as 3:30 p.m. today, Food Network president Brooke Johnson said in an interview aired on Bloomberg TV that Cablevision had refused to negotiate.
"They took a very hard line attitude towards us and then pretty much shut the door," Johnson told Bloomberg TV.
The apparent change in the current state of the negotiations doesn't appear to be enough to discourage Scripps plans to air selected Food network and HGTV programming over the air in the New York market this weekend. Scripps earlier today said it would broadcast Iron Chef America: Super Chef Battle this Sunday on WPIX in New York and WTXX in Hartford, Conn. HGTV's HGTV Dream Home Tour 2010 will air on WPIX on Jan. 8. WPIX and WTXX are owned by Tribune Broadcasting, which also owns a minority interest in the Food Network.
McConkey said that Scripps will run its new ad campaign during the broadcast, which asserts that the MSO's claims it is demanding a $20 million increase in fees for Food and HGTV for one year are untrue.
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I don't know whose to blame and I don't really care. But to pull programs off because you can't get what you want. We pay enough for cable and programs are taken away. I think Scripps is wrong and I hope this gets resolved soon. We as coomon people work hard for our money and to pay outrageous fees to watch TV is wrong. I for one will be shutting my Tv off and picking up a book, plus ordering my DVD's thru nexflex.
Scripps you should be ashamed..
Candace Green - 1/10/2010 5:28:15 PM EST -
While I have my own issues with Cablevision I'm not sure this is one of them. This is greed with a capital "G" from Scripps since it's not Cablevision who is going to be paying the increase but the viewers. Give in to them and every other owner of cable networks will want the same thing...more money! In these economic times that's disgusting. And then put your programing on regular channels? BRILLIANT! Here's an idea for Cablevision...since Scripps thinks it's worth so much make them a premium channel and they get paid according to how many people subscribe.
Karen Brown - 1/6/2010 8:42:38 PM EST -
Cablevision better get off of their greedy asses and get this dispute settled. And they have the audacity to hike their rates by 3.7% this year? Never have I seen a corporation with such total disregard for their customers.
Louise Perry - 1/6/2010 8:24:22 PM EST -
What a great idea. Pull your content off your cable networks and demand your customers call Cablevision to complain. Next, go and put all the same shows you just revoked access to on a free broadcast on stations Cablevision still carries. BRILLIANT!
Holly Roe - 1/6/2010 7:48:15 PM EST
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