Remember earlier this year, when Cablevision customers were forced to miss programming from Food Network and HGTV during a contract negotiation with their parent company, Scripps?
Now, they're slinging mud with ABC. At least in New York where WABC could be forced off Cablevision's systems, until negotiations are complete. (At least, I hope it's just WABC. If ESPN ends up being a pawn in this dispute, then I'll be angry.)
Anyway, below is the transcript of a message that is currently running on a loop on Channel 1999. I thought I'd write it up and disclose it for all to read. Talk about negotiation tactics... just tell viewers Disney's theme parks are bleeding money, and their top executive is making close to $1 billion, while hundreds of ABC employees are let go. That'll fire 'em up!
Here's more information on the dispute that could mean WABC could be gone from Cablevision as soon as Monday:
http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/02/news/companies/cablevision_disney/
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Right now, Cablevision is trying to negotiate a new contract with ABC. In response, ABC is threatening to pull Channel 7 (WABC) off your Cablevision system on March 7th. This is ABC's decision. Not Cablevision's. We would never choose to take ABC off the air. At Cablevision, we want you to know the truth about this situation.
Here are the facts: ABC is saying it will pull Channel 7 from our lineup unless we pay them $40 millionmore per year. That's right. $40 million. It's a 20% increase over the $200 million Cablevision currently pays ABC's parent company (Disney) for their group of networks, which includes ESPN, ESPN2, Disney Channel and ABC Family Channel. but ABC has offered us and our customers nothing new in return. No new programming. They just think they deserve a $40 million raise. We think in these economic times, ABC's demands are just not fair, especially since ABC has a license from the government, which they paid nothing for, to broadcast for free, over the air. Plus, they make most of their shows available for free on the Internet.
Still, we want to keep ABC on the air. Recently, we offered to pay as much or more than what we pay other broadcast networks. They have rejected this offer, and every generous offer we've made so far. ABC's parent company already owns the most expensive cable network in America, ESPN. now, ABC thinks it should be the most expensive broadcast network. The fact is, ABC is pursuing a strategy of unreasonable demands and fee increases that can cost Americans more than $1 billion a year, just to watch their one network.
So, why is ABC making this outrageous demand? They will tell you they deserve it, because of all the great programming they have. Well, we think there are other reasons ABC is suddenly demanding this money. First, like all businesses during these hard economic times, ABC's advertising revenues are down. And to make matters worse, ABC has not invested in state-of-the-art interactive advertising technologies, instead relying on 1960's-era technology. Second, their various theme parks around the world are struggling, and ABC needs to find money to prop them up. Third, ABC's sister company, ESPN, is stuck making huge payments for out-of-control sports broadcasting rights. Finally, perhaps ABC needs an extra $40 million a year to support salary and bonuses for their executives. CEO Robert Iger alone has been paid $72 million in salary and bonuses over the past two years, even though his company is suffering. In fact, ABC just announced layoffs to over 300 staffers at ABC News.
Now, we have repeatedly asked ABC to keep Channel 7 on the air, while we continue to negotiate a fair deal. But ABC wants its millions. They claim they will pull the network off the air, unless we pay what is essentially what is essentially a $40 million "TV tax" on Cablevision customers.
So, don't be misled by a slick ABC advertising campaign that features ABC programming, but never mentions how much money they want, or the fact that they seem willing to pull their channel to get the millions they are seeking. We apologize for their actions, and ask for your help.
You can make a difference in this dispute. Call 1-877-NO-TV-TAX, and tell ABC what you think of their ransom demand. Or visit http;//www.cablevision.com/abc, and send their executives an e-mail expressing how you feel.
Thank you for listening to this message, and thank you for your patience. The last time we had one of these disputes (with Scripps, forcing Food Network and HGTV off their systems for several days), your involvement helped bring that conflict to a positive conclusion.
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ABC's website:
http://www.saveabc7.com/
Now, they're slinging mud with ABC. At least in New York where WABC could be forced off Cablevision's systems, until negotiations are complete. (At least, I hope it's just WABC. If ESPN ends up being a pawn in this dispute, then I'll be angry.)
Anyway, below is the transcript of a message that is currently running on a loop on Channel 1999. I thought I'd write it up and disclose it for all to read. Talk about negotiation tactics... just tell viewers Disney's theme parks are bleeding money, and their top executive is making close to $1 billion, while hundreds of ABC employees are let go. That'll fire 'em up!
Here's more information on the dispute that could mean WABC could be gone from Cablevision as soon as Monday:
http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/02/news/companies/cablevision_disney/
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Right now, Cablevision is trying to negotiate a new contract with ABC. In response, ABC is threatening to pull Channel 7 (WABC) off your Cablevision system on March 7th. This is ABC's decision. Not Cablevision's. We would never choose to take ABC off the air. At Cablevision, we want you to know the truth about this situation.
Here are the facts: ABC is saying it will pull Channel 7 from our lineup unless we pay them $40 millionmore per year. That's right. $40 million. It's a 20% increase over the $200 million Cablevision currently pays ABC's parent company (Disney) for their group of networks, which includes ESPN, ESPN2, Disney Channel and ABC Family Channel. but ABC has offered us and our customers nothing new in return. No new programming. They just think they deserve a $40 million raise. We think in these economic times, ABC's demands are just not fair, especially since ABC has a license from the government, which they paid nothing for, to broadcast for free, over the air. Plus, they make most of their shows available for free on the Internet.
Still, we want to keep ABC on the air. Recently, we offered to pay as much or more than what we pay other broadcast networks. They have rejected this offer, and every generous offer we've made so far. ABC's parent company already owns the most expensive cable network in America, ESPN. now, ABC thinks it should be the most expensive broadcast network. The fact is, ABC is pursuing a strategy of unreasonable demands and fee increases that can cost Americans more than $1 billion a year, just to watch their one network.
So, why is ABC making this outrageous demand? They will tell you they deserve it, because of all the great programming they have. Well, we think there are other reasons ABC is suddenly demanding this money. First, like all businesses during these hard economic times, ABC's advertising revenues are down. And to make matters worse, ABC has not invested in state-of-the-art interactive advertising technologies, instead relying on 1960's-era technology. Second, their various theme parks around the world are struggling, and ABC needs to find money to prop them up. Third, ABC's sister company, ESPN, is stuck making huge payments for out-of-control sports broadcasting rights. Finally, perhaps ABC needs an extra $40 million a year to support salary and bonuses for their executives. CEO Robert Iger alone has been paid $72 million in salary and bonuses over the past two years, even though his company is suffering. In fact, ABC just announced layoffs to over 300 staffers at ABC News.
Now, we have repeatedly asked ABC to keep Channel 7 on the air, while we continue to negotiate a fair deal. But ABC wants its millions. They claim they will pull the network off the air, unless we pay what is essentially what is essentially a $40 million "TV tax" on Cablevision customers.
So, don't be misled by a slick ABC advertising campaign that features ABC programming, but never mentions how much money they want, or the fact that they seem willing to pull their channel to get the millions they are seeking. We apologize for their actions, and ask for your help.
You can make a difference in this dispute. Call 1-877-NO-TV-TAX, and tell ABC what you think of their ransom demand. Or visit http;//www.cablevision.com/abc, and send their executives an e-mail expressing how you feel.
Thank you for listening to this message, and thank you for your patience. The last time we had one of these disputes (with Scripps, forcing Food Network and HGTV off their systems for several days), your involvement helped bring that conflict to a positive conclusion.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABC's website:
http://www.saveabc7.com/
