Cox Finally Cuts NGC Deal

Fox Cable Networks Group cut a deal with Cox Communications Inc. under which the MSO will carry National Geographic Channel on digital tiers.

The deal is noteworthy since Cox has long been accused of refusing to carry NGC in order to protect its 25% ownership stake in NGC rival Discovery Channel.

Fox Cable and Cox representatives refused to detail the size of the Cox commitment. But Fox Cable said NGC -- which currently counts 46.4 million homes -- would end up with more than 50 million subscribers after the Cox deal, suggesting that the MSO committed to put the channel in at least 3.6 million homes.