Money Matters, Simplified.
Cablevision finally loses ABC7 and Oscars
by Jaspreet Virk - March 7, 2010 - comments
Earlier on Monday, WABC-TV went public with the dispute. During the telecast of ‘The Bachelor,’ it aired a message warning the customers that it would pull the signal if Cablevision failed to pay for the TV station.
If you are a New Yorker eagerly waiting for the ABC7’s telecast of Oscars tonight, this news might disappoint you as the television network’s parent company Walt Disney Co. has cut Cablevision's access to the channel.
As a result of this blackout, Cablevision's 3.1 million customers in the city may miss the Academy Awards tonight.
Subscribers in New Jersey and Connecticut may also be affected by this blackout.
Negotiations fail
Walt Disney cut ties with the cable operator after the two failed to reach a consensus over payment.
In a statement, WABC stated that by failing to reach an agreement, “Cablevision has once again betrayed its subscribers by losing ABC7, the most popular station in the tri-state area.”
Arguing for the move, Walt Disney stated that Cablevision, which has more than 3 million customers, charges $18 per month for broadcasting signals but it does not pass the payment to the company.
But the cable operator stated that Disney is seeking additional $40 million in addition to $200 million already paid by it.
Abrupt blackout
Earlier on Monday, WABC-TV went public with the dispute. During the telecast of ‘The Bachelor,’ it aired a message warning the customers that it would pull the signal if Cablevision failed to pay for the TV station.
Though the move was anticipated, the customers did not expect it to happen all of a sudden.
The Disney-ABC Television Group finally pulled the signal few hours before the airing of Oscars at 8 tonight, thus leaving millions in doubt whether they will be able to watch the award ceremony.
WABC was telecasting the repeat episode of ‘Lost’ named ‘Three Minutes,’ when it was suddenly replaced with a message that read, “Cablevision betrayed you again. First HGTV and Food Network, now they lost ABC 7. Enough is Enough. Go to SaveABC7.com to switch service now."
Later Cablevision replaced the message on the Channel 7 stating, “ABC has pulled WABC-7."
Subscribers vent their ire
The latest acrimony between Walt Disney and the cable operator has angered many subscribers who believe that they are being robbed in this blame game.
A customer named lou710 posted his view on Daily NEWS saying, “Cablevsion should be put out of business. This the second time this year that they've pulled this. Not to mention last year, when they pulled all Zoom TV networks. Cablevision is robbing its subscribers left and right. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!”
Another subscriber named Bronx Mom stated on newsroomjersey, “I pay cablevision alot of money every month for basic channels including boxes and tax fees. I deserve to have every damn basic channel!”