Posted on 03/07/2010 10:54:47 AM PST by Libloather
3.1M without cable for Oscar night
Updated: Sunday, 07 Mar 2010, 1:01 PM EST
NEW YORK (AP) - Millions of cable subscribers faced the prospect of Oscar night without the Academy Awards broadcast Sunday after ABC's parent company switched off its signal to Cablevision customers and the two companies blasted each other for failing to reach a deal in a dispute over fees.
In dueling statements dispatched early Sunday, the two companies traded blame for the stalemate ahead of one of the most-watched nights of television.
"Cablevision has once again betrayed its subscribers," said Charissa Gilmore, a spokeswoman for the Walt Disney Co. and ABC Television Group, in a statement.
"Cablevision pocketed almost $8 billion last year, and now customers aren't getting what they pay for again."
Cablevision Systems Corp. said the stall in negotiations should be blamed on Disney CEO Bob Iger.
"It is now painfully clear to millions of New York area households that Disney CEO Bob Iger will hold his own ABC viewers hostage in order to extract $40 million in new fees from Cablevision," said Charles Schueler, a Cablevision executive vice president, in a statement.
The signal can still be pulled from the air for free with an antenna and a new TV or digital converter box.
The dispute is another example of how networks are struggling to find profits as advertising revenue dwindles and programming costs grow.
Networks are transmitted freely over the airwaves, but the expensive event programming has led the companies behind them to increasingly demand fees from cable TV and satellite operators for retransmitting those signals.
Cablevision has argued that Disney is seeking an additional $40 million a year in new fees, even though the company pays more than $200 million a year to Disney.
(Excerpt) Read more at wishtv.com ...
Someone can borrow my cable to watch the Oscars tonight. I won’t be tuning in.
I’d rather watch grass grow, paint dry....
they should be grateful .
Some people need to get a life. I wouldn't waste my time watching these liberal lovefests.
.
They have these every year, no matter what.
Even if every movie that year stank — there will be a “best Picture”.
Never in my life have I ever watched an Oscar telecast. I almost couldn’t relate to anyone that would.
Missing the Oscars? They should consider themselves lucky!
QVC, MSN and Yahoo (week long coverage online), and my local newspaper have all been having coverage of the Oscars.
I’m sick of them already and they haven’t even been awarded/broadcast yet!
Is Joan Rivers doing pre game show of Oscar I like see her goof on celebrities
I am with Cablevision. But heck, I have internet connection and can watch the entire thing if I want to at HULU.COM
I am glad to say that I have never watch the Oscars. I used to look for the winners on the news, but I am so disgusted with these idiots in Hollywood.
Seriously, I love capitalism. But these people are idolized because they are great looking or write populist scripts. Talent? Brad Pitt? Gwyneth Paltrow? Warren “Mr Socialism” Beatty?
Even Judy Dench. She is the SAME in every movie!
Most of them are all the same. The reap the fruits of capitalism (without talent other than being beautiful) and then advocate killing capitalism and turning us into Cuba/Venezuela.
A$$HOLES!!!!! I refuse to watch.
Oh, the Hugh Manatee!
In my opinion, there should be a seperate channel dedicated to nothing but “awards” shows. 24/7. Then the idiots who care so much about Hollyweird can watch them constantly.
I’d rather pick at a scab than watch!
For all NCIS Fans if you get USA networks NCIS reruns is on
I am glad to say that I have never watched the Oscars. I used to look for the winners on the news, but I am so disgusted with these idiots in Hollywood that i don’t even want to know who won. I simply don’t care.
Seriously, I love capitalism. But these people are idolized because they are great looking or write populist scripts. Talent? Brad Pitt? Gwyneth Paltrow? Warren “Mr Socialism” Beatty? Brad Pitt? Even Denzel — the SAME every time.
Even Judy Dench. She is the SAME in every movie! At least Russell Crowe varies his looks/acting style.
Most of them are all the same. The reap the fruits of capitalism (without talent other than being beautiful) and then advocate killing capitalism and turning us into Cuba/Venezuela.
A$$HOLES!!!!! I refuse to watch.
Do a lot of people really watch the Oscars? I always figured the Hollywood crowd worked with TV networks to inflate the number for ego purposes.
I thought their viewership has taken a HUGE dump in the last few years?
I wouldn’t watch em anyway.
CBS carries NCIS so I really don’t care. ABC also doesn’t broadcast Islanders hockey so I still don’t care.
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