BETHPAGE, N.Y., March 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cablevision Systems Corporation today issued the following statement after ABC Disney pulled WABC from Cablevision customers, calling on Disney CEO Bob Iger to return WABC immediately while the negotiations continue. Cablevision pays ABC Disney $200 million for programming, more than any other company, and ABC Disney is demanding $40 million more in new fees for the same channels.
Charles Schueler, Cablevision's executive vice president of communications, said:
"It is now painfully clear to millions of New York area households that Disney CEO Bob Iger will hold his own ABC viewers hostage in order to extract $40 million in new fees from Cablevision. We call on Bob Iger to immediately return ABC to Cablevision customers while we continue to work to reach a fair agreement."
Cablevision customers should urge ABC Disney to put the WABC programming back on Cablevision by calling 1-877-NO-TV-TAX, visiting http://www.cablevision.com/abc or joining its Facebook group "Cablevision Viewers Say: No New Fees, ABC!"
About Cablevision
Cablevision Systems Corporation is one of the nation's leading telecommunications, media and entertainment companies. In addition to its Optimum-branded cable, Internet, and voice offerings, the company owns and operates News 12 Networks, MSG Varsity and Newsday Media Group. Cablevision's assets also include Rainbow Media Holdings LLC and its programming and entertainment businesses, AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, WE tv and IFC Entertainment, as well as Clearview Cinemas. Additional information about Cablevision is available on the Web at http://www.cablevision.com/.
Cablevision Systems Corporation
CONTACT: Jim Maiella, +1-516-803-3947, or jmaiella@cablevision.com,
Sarah Chaikin, +1-516-803-2352, or schaikin@cablevision.com, both of
Cablevision Systems Corporation
Web Site: http://www.cablevision.com/
