A potentially massive story is brewing when most people are thinking about their New Year's Eve bash that is just hours away.Viacom Inc. (parent company of Spike TV and other channels) has been seeking a rate increase of approximately $37 million per year to carry the 20 channels they provide. Viacom has even tried levarging their viewing audience by running ads on their airwaves and in newspapers, asking customers to contact Time Warner and let them know that they will drop their services if Viacom channels aren't supported. Viacom is seeking the rate increase to make up for a lack of advertising revenue over the last two quarters.
Viacom Inc. and Time Warner Cable have been in heated negotiations, but now seem to be at an impasse. This may force Viacom to pull much of their key programming off the air at midnight tonight.
Stations on Time Warner that would be impacted include, Spike (home of TNA Wrestling and many UFC broadcasts), Nickelodeon, MTV, VH-1, Comedy Central, TV Land and BET.
Time Warner provides cable service to approximately 13% of the nation.
This would be a horrible situation for both Viacom and Time Warner Cable. Viacom would lose millions in ad revenue - especially since they would be losing a huge chunk of the market in the two biggest regions: New York and Los Angeles. Time Warner could stand to lose customers, to the satellite market.
8 comments: on "Millions Of Americans May Lose Spike TV"
Nothing new under the sun for Time Warner. I can't speak for the entire country, but I know that they do this kind of thing regularly in the Buffalo area.
When Time Warner first bought out Adelphia, their first move was to yank NFL Network. Then they threatened to take Fox off the air. Then they yanked CBS and CW for about a month. Contract disputes with Time Warner seem to be very common.
Time Warner ruined cable here in LA. They jacked up monthly prices over $30 a month, put hidden fees everywhere, removed customer service, and rearranged the channels. I got rid of it almost a year ago and watch whatever I need to online. Adelphia was way better but TW obtained it and killed it, man.
I hear you on that one, Dante. I hate the Rigas family like Donnie hates Bret Hart.
They just showed this story on the news. Tell me if I'm wrong but isn't this considered a monopoly? TW bought out Adelphia and Comcast here leaving folks with no option other than satelite. Not everyone is allowed to get that since most apartment managers wont allow dishes. Yeah, it sounds crazy but places like mine that dont have balconies have to place dishes on the rooftop.
Post the fucking show already.
I cannot believe at Midnight we are gonna lose alot of damm channels. Fucking typical corporate bullshit. Well Time Warner gonna lose alot of customers for sure.
wow Anonymous (you fat fuck), you really do jack off to this show. It is amazing that you don't care that 13% of a nation will go without so many channels. But hey, at least you still get your gay boys' channel.....wait a minute LOGO is one of the channels being canceled. Quick Anonymous, drop your KY and get your bra out to burn in protest.
According to a report on Los Angeles station KTLA's 11PM newscast, Viacom and Time Warner Cable have reached an agreement that will keep 19 Viacom stations, including Spike, Nickelodeon, BET, MTV, VH-1, and Comedy Central, broadcasting on Time Warner Cable.
It is not known if this is a new deal, or a temporary agreement, which was discussed earlier today. The 19 Viacom stations were scheduled to stop broadcasting at Midnight ET if no agreement was reached.
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