Time Warner Cable Portrays Stalemate That Does Not Exist, According to Hearst Television

NEW YORK, July 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Notwithstanding assertions by representatives of Time Warner Cable that they are negotiating with Hearst Television, Time Warner is attempting to create the illusion of a breakdown of the retransmission consent negotiation process.  Although Hearst Television presented Time Warner with a proposal yesterday that was within 5% of its offer to Hearst on July 9, Time Warner has failed to respond.

Hearst Television's President, David Barrett, said, "As of today, Time Warner Cable is attempting to portray a stalemate – when none exists."   Barrett added "We're disappointed to say that Time Warner Cable is refusing to participate in a negotiating process that has enabled us to conclude more than 150 agreements, without service interruptions, in recent months. Instead, Time Warner is acting as the conductor of the public relations bandwagon ridden by other multi-channel video distributors in various unrelated negotiations with program providers." 

In 20 years of negotiations with distributors, Hearst Television has experienced only one brief disruption of service – this in contrast to multiple service disruptions involving Time Warner in recent years.  Barrett noted "It has become clear that Time Warner, as the leader in the lobbying effort to roll back the 1992 Cable Act, which was designed to preserve the health of local television broadcasting and has worked as Congress intended, has decided to hold its subscribers hostage in the hope that it can pressure Congress to intervene."

Barrett concluded "This dispute is ripe for settlement – today."

Hearst Television, a national multi-media company, owns and operates 29 local television stations and two local radio stations, serving 30 U.S. cities and reaching approximately 18% of U.S. television households.  The TV stations broadcast 60 video channels, featuring local and national news, weather, information, sports and entertainment programming, and local community service-oriented programs.  The stations also host and operate digital on-line and mobile platforms that extend the company's brands and content to local, national and international audiences.  Hearst Television is recognized as one of the industry's premier companies, and has been honored with numerous awards for distinguished journalism, industry innovation, and community service.  Hearst Television is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst Corporation.  The Company's Web address is www.hearsttelevision.com.

Hearst Stations and Markets Affected

SOURCE Hearst Television

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED