A programming carriage skirmish between Central Florida regional sports channel Sunshine Network and Advance Newhouse/Time Warner Cable may become a boost for satellite TV.
Via its Web site, Sunshine Network informed its viewers in the Tampa area that it has been battling the cable operator over carriage since it was dropped from the MSO's lineup on Dec. 31. "Those of us at Sunshine Network regret that Advance Newhouse/Time Warner Cable decided not to renew its agreement with Sunshine Network, but we must respect Advance Newhouse/Time Warner Cable's business decision," Sunshine Network said on its Web site.
Sunshine Network said it proposed renewal terms to Advance Newhouse/Time Warner Cable and many other cable operators throughout Florida prior to the start of the NBA and NHL seasons. Sunshine Network said it signed agreements with all of the other major cable operators in the state, except for Advance Newhouse/Time Warner Cable.
The Sunshine Network Web statement also said that it was proposed its programming become available to viewers as a "pay channel" similar to premium movie services. "We at Sunshine Network believe that this is not in the best interest of the fans – we believe that everyone should have access to their local teams as part of their basic cable or satellite service. In fact, this is the only way Sunshine Network is distributed throughout Florida," the network said.
In its defense, Advance Newhouse/Time Warner said Sunshine Network is demanding "an extreme rate increase" for carriage, possibly as much as a 60 percent jump in the first year and double-digit increases in subsequent years.
"As your cable provider, it is our responsibility to manage programming costs on behalf of all of our customers and provide the best options in cable programming at a fair price," the cable operator said. What the network is asking "would be paid by all our customers, not just those who watch the channel. No other cable network has asked for such an extreme increase in their fees," Advance Newhouse/Time Warner said in a letter to its customers.
Sunshine Network carries Tampa Bay Lightning hockey, Orlando Magic basketball, college sports and other local programming.
Satellite TV services have agreements with Sunshine Network. Advertising promoting DirecTV and EchoStar's DISH Network have appeared in local newspapers, focusing on the skirmish and promoting small dish delivery of Sunshine Network.
From
SkyReport (Used with Permission)
