Cablevision and Fox are back at the table, hoping to agree to a new contract which would bring Fox’s group of channels back to Cablevision subscribers.
Cablevision subscribers found themselves without Fox’s channels as the clock struck midnight Saturday, the result of a stand-off between the cable provider and News Corp., Fox’s parent company.
Representatives from the two companies met at noon today in Manhattan.
But the clock is ticking. At 8 p.m. tonight, Game 1 of baseball’s National League Championship Series, between the Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants, will be broadcast on Fox. Fortunately, the Yankees’ series is airing on TBS.
And if things aren’t resolved by Sunday, Cablevision subscribers will miss the Giants tackle the Detroit Lions.
The problem stems from an alleged $80 million increase Fox is demanding for the rights to broadcast content from its dozen channels. Previously, Cablevision was paying Fox $70 million each year; the company is now asking for $150 million each year.
The dispute and subsequent loss of service is the third time this year for Cablevision.
With The Associated Press
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