CBS Inks Retransmission Deals

NEW YORK, February 23: Nine U.S. cable operators have
signed retransmission agreements with CBS Corporation, covering the analog, digital,
multicast and high-definition rights to programming on CBS owned-and-operated
television stations.

Broadcasters have been seeking compensation from cable
operators for the retransmission rights to their programs for some time.
According to the New York Times, if CBS is able to reach similar agreements
with larger platforms like Comcast, it could generate as much as $240 million
in additional revenues per year.

CBS did not reveal the names of the nine operators, noting
only that some were among the nation’s top 25 MSOs, and that collectively they
reached more than 1 million subscribers. Financial terms were also not
disclosed.

“We’re pleased to have forged these long-term,
forward-looking partnerships with so many cable operators,” said Leslie
Moonves, the president and CEO of CBS Corporation. “Clearly there is a new
paradigm in the marketplace—one that recognizes the value of the content
that we bring to our various audiences. This is a trend that bodes well for us
going forward as future retransmission deals are negotiated.”