Networks

Charter, CBS Renew Carriage Pact

Comprehensive Deal Includes Retrans, Cable Nets
By: Mike Farrell Jan 29 2013 - 3:46pm
Comprehensive Deal Includes Retrans, Cable Nets

Charter Communications said Tuesday that it has renewed its carriage agreement with CBS Corp., including retransmission consent deals for all CBS-owned stations as well as  cable channels Showtime Networks, CBS Sports Network and Smithsonian Channel.

Smithsonian Channel Adds Xfinity Homes

By: MCN Staff Jan 28 2013 - 2:32pm

Smithsonian Channel has joined the Digital Preferred lineup for Xfinity TV customers who live in Comcast markets including Houston, Texas; Denver; Salt Lake City; Portland, Ore.; Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn., and Seattle.

Verizon to Tack On RSN Fee to FiOS TV

Telco Will Apply $2.42 Monthly Surcharge Starting in February in Certain Markets
By: Todd Spangler Jan 25 2013 - 1:01am
Telco Will Apply $2.42 Monthly Surcharge Starting in February in Certain Markets

With the cost of sports programming continuing to climb, Verizon Communications starting next month will begin charging new FiOS TV customers and those on month-to-month plans a $2.42 monthly fee for regional sports networks.

"Verizon has chosen a fee of $2.42 per month (as opposed to increased TV package charges) to address the skyrocketing incremental sports content costs associated with this popular programming," spokeswoman Heather Wilner said in an email.

CTHRA Taps SNI's Chris Powell As President

By: MCN Staff Jan 24 2013 - 3:30pm
Chris Powell of Scripps Networks Interactive and CTHRA

The Cable and Telecommunications Human Resources Association's 2013 leadership includes new officers and two new board members.  Christopher R. Powell (pictured above), executive vice president of human resources for Scripps Networks Interactive, has been elected to the role of president. Powell has served on CTHRA’s board since January 2010, and he received CTHRA’s Excellence in HR Award in 2012 for his transformative leadership during SNI’s spinoff from E.W. Scripps and subsequent growth on its route to become a $2 billion business.

SintecMedia Acquires Argo Systems

Deal for Pay TV Management Software Vendor Follows SintecMedia’s Purchase of StorerTV
By: Todd Spangler Jan 23 2013 - 2:22pm
Deal for Pay TV Management Software Vendor Follows SintecMedia’s Purchase of StorerTV

Broadcast management software vendor SintecMedia has acquired Argo Systems, which sells software to cable networks and pay TV operators for managing content distribution deals.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Earlier this month, SintecMedia announced the acquisition of StorerTV, which sells media program and contract rights management software systems for broadcast and cable networks.

Verizon Strips Sports Out of FiOS TV 'Select HD' Package

Telco Pitches $50 Tier With 30 HD Channels for Subscribers Who Don’t Care About Sports
By: Todd Spangler Jan 22 2013 - 11:58am
Telco Pitches $50 Tier With 30 HD Channels for Subscribers Who Don’t Care About Sports

Verizon Communications now offers a totally sports-free FiOS TV package, “Select HD,” with a lineup of 30 HD channels that excludes ESPN and other dedicated sports networks priced $15 less per month than its regular entry-level HD tier.

WICT Announces 2013 Board of Directors

Suddenlink CFO Meduski to Serve as Chair Through 2014
By: MCN Staff Jan 17 2013 - 11:10pm
Suddenlink CFO Meduski to Serve as Chair Through 2014

Women in Cable Telecommunications announced the members of its 2013 board of directors, with Suddenlink Communications chief financial officer Mary Meduski elected to serve a two-year term as chair.

Kathy Payne, Cox Communications’ vice president of content acquisition, who served as chair for the past two years, will move to a one-year term as “immediate past chair.”

Disney Strikes U-Verse Carriage Deal

Agreement Includes Distribution of Full Suite of Watch Disney Products
By: Mike Farrell Jan 15 2013 - 2:45pm
Agreement Includes Distribution of Full Suite of Watch Disney Products

The Walt Disney Co. extended its string of comprehensive carriage deals on Tuesday, after the programming giant reached agreement with AT&T’s U-Verse service.

Nearly Half of Weather Co.'s Revenue Comes From Digital Division

Weather Channel Tops 100 Million App Downloads for Smartphones, Tablets
By: Todd Spangler Jan 15 2013 - 7:01am
Weather Channel Tops 100 Million App Downloads for Smartphones, Tablets

The Weather Channel’s apps for smartphones and tablets have been downloaded more than 100 million times, and The Weather Co.’s revenue from non-TV sources is now “not far away” from being half of total revenue, according to digital division president Cameron Clayton.

Privately held Weather Co. does not disclose financial figures. The company is owned by Comcast’s NBCUniversal and private-equity firms Blackstone Group and Bain Capital.

Gerald Sisk, Jewelry TV Co-Founder, Dies at 59

Company Says Jewelry Expert's Death Was Unexpected
By: MCN Staff Jan 14 2013 - 11:51am
Company Says Jewelry Expert's Death Was Unexpected

Gerald D. Sisk Jr., co-founder and executive vice president of Jewelry Television, died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday morning, Jan. 13, according to the network, which said his death was unexpected. He was 59 years old and is survived by his wife Karen, his mother, a sister and several other relatives. The shopping network has posted a memorial Web page at this link.

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