Viacom Threatens to Pull MTV, Other Networks Off Time Warner Cable

Viacom is threatening to pull its networks, including Nickelodeon and MTV, off of Time Warner Cable tomorrow if the companies don't reach an agreement on fees for the channels. Viacom is readying advertisements featuring characters from its channels, including SpongeBob SquarePants from Nickelodeon, blaming the cable operator for the disruption. The dispute would affect Viacom's 19 networks on Time Warner Cable systems in cities from New York to Los Angeles. Viacom says it is seeking an increase that is “reasonable and modest" relative to the value TWC gets from the networks. In a statement, Viacom says it is asking for about 25 cents a month more per subscriber for its channels. A Time Warner spokesman says Viacom is seeking “huge” increases in the double-digit range. “We don’t see how in the current economy we can pass these increases along to our customers,” the spokesman said, adding that the operator has sought an extension from Viacom, but has so far been turned down. (Editor: Baumann) (link)