[calcowgirl]

The Equal Time regulations don't apply to cable networks.

[Despot of the Delta]

Once a cable system allows a legally qualified candidate to use (identifiable appearance by voice or picture) its facilities, it must afford “equal opportunities” to all other legally qualified candidates for that office to use its facilities. The cable system may not censor the content of the candidate’s material in any way, and many not discriminate between candidates in practices, regulations, facilities or services rendered pursuant to the equal opportunities rules.

Candidates must submit requests for equal opportunities to the cable system within one week after a rival candidate’s first use of the cable system. If the person was not a legally qualified candidate at the time of the rival’s first use, he or she may submit a request within one week of the rival’s next use of the cable system after he or she becomes a legally qualified candidate.

[Despot of the Delta]

This article explains it all. I misunderstood it as equal time for the entire show, but it means only the time the candidate actually appears and doesn't kick-in till the candidate appears on official state ballots. Equal Time