The CBS chief suggests that CBS's ability to come to a swift and amicable retrans contract with Verizon can only mean that Time Warner Cable is the cause of the continuing standoff in the current retrans blackout. "You should know that Time Warner Cable has been offered almost exactly the same deal for CBS carriage to which Verizon has agreed," Moonves says.
RETRANS
Moonves: Verizon Deal Proof It’s Them, Not Us
CBS CEO Leslie Moonves says its newly signed retransmission consent agreement with Verizon FiOS shows that CBS is “prepared to move decisively and thoughtfully to achieve a good conclusion” with all cable and satellite operators.
“This important deal was reached swiftly and amicably in just a few days after our conversations began,” Moonves says in a staff memo released to the media. “In it, we achieve fair value for our over-the-air rights, while preserving our streaming rights as well.”
Moonves contrasts the Verizon negotiations with those with Time Warner Cable, which have broken down and resulted in the loss of CBS O&Os to TWC subscribers for the past three weeks.
“You should know that Time Warner Cable has been offered almost exactly the same deal for CBS carriage to which Verizon has agreed,” Moonves says.
“I cannot describe to you the frustration I feel at the way these negotiations have gone. Never in my most pessimistic moments did I ever think that they would have lasted this long and have been so difficult.
“In many aspects of the deal, Time Warner Cable is demanding different terms than any other company in the business. I am frankly mystified by what appears to be a lack of urgency to resolve this matter for their customers.
BRAND CONNECTIONS
“Still, we’ll keep talking.”
Comments (8)
Brett Zongker says:
August 22, 2013 at 3:52 pm
It should be fairly obvious which side is serious and which side is playing games.
Wagner Pereira says:
August 22, 2013 at 3:55 pm
“We continue to wonder how any knowledgeable observer of recent retransmission consent history can possibly venture to distribute the blame for the CBS/TWC impasse equally, much less pin the lion’s share of the blame on CBS.
This simple fact is that most retrans deals are struck without drama or disruption.
When there is drama and disruption, and it involves a cable company, that company is usually TWC.
When contentious negotiations feature an ensemble cast on the television side of the table and a cast of one on the cable side of the table, it doesn’t take the FBI to figure out which side is the source of the problem.” http://rbr.com/cbs-comes-to-retransmission-terms-with-fios/
Keith ONeal says:
August 22, 2013 at 11:40 pm
There are no winners here. CBS is a loser by pulling access to their website from the TWC and Bright House subs, especially in markets (Orlando and Tampa, for example) where the station that airs CBS is an affiliate, and those markets can see the CBS programs. TWC/Bright House is a loser by not having a sense of urgency, and rejecting an offer described as similiar to the offer that Version FiOS accepted. CBS, TWC, let’s end this STUPID fight NOW!!!
solange attwood says:
August 23, 2013 at 12:07 am
Flashflood, if you are in a hurry to end the dispute then you are also in a hurry to pay the higher fees that CBS will charge TW and which TW will have no choice other than to pass along to you, Hold your water and you’ll end up with better pricing in the long run
Wagner Pereira says:
August 23, 2013 at 2:30 am
As the Geico commercial says, holding for a better price in the long run will happen when pigs fly. CBS has taken the #1 Network slot in ratings for the past 2 weeks, even with CBS off 25% of the TWC customers. FiOS has already increased subs 16% in NYC since the impasse. Add in this coming weekend games that are being missed – as well as next Friday Night’s game. Then the regular season. TWC about to really take on more pressure. In the end, TWC will pay what CBS wanted in the first place – maybe more now – so only the subscribers lost out in the meantime – along with TWC who are losing customers at a big rate and will have to throw out massive discounts to get new customers to replace existing customers.
solange attwood says:
August 23, 2013 at 1:41 pm
Time wil tell if TW was right to take this stand. In any case, unless some rational thinking returns to the retrans debate the average person will be priced out of pay TV. How is that a win for CBS or any other broadcaster?
Leah Garey says:
August 23, 2013 at 7:25 am
TWC is lookin pretty bad here.
The subscribers should hope they win though ‘cuz TWC will just pass any increased costs along to them. and they will just meekly pay until they realize life CAN go forward without “Duck Dynasty.”
Matt Lawson says:
August 23, 2013 at 11:24 am
The entire reason the 1992 Cable TV Act was approved was because TWC’s unwillingness to negotiate intelligently. I have a four page declaration with my dealings with TWC that was included in the legislation. Over 21 years later, here we go again. So glad FiOS is there to serve the NYC customers.