Deadline Nears in Cablevision/Fox Dispute

BETHPAGE: Subscribers to cable platform Cablevision could lose access to the FOX network, as well as several News Corporation cable networks, as of midnight tonight, if the two companies are unable to come to terms on a new agreement.

Cablevision Systems Corporation said late yesterday that, in response to pleas from lawmakers, it has agreed to binding arbitration with News Corp. to keep the Fox 5 and My9 stations on the air. "We will work around the clock to reach a new agreement and have appealed to News Corp. not to pull the plug on Fox 5 and My9," said Charles Schueler, Cablevision’s executive VP of communications. "Cablevision would never take these broadcast stations away from our customers. While we would rather come to terms directly with News Corp., binding arbitration may be the best and fairest way to resolve this matter. Therefore, Cablevision will accept the bipartisan calls from Reps. Steve Israel and Peter King for binding arbitration under the direction of a neutral third party."

Fox has rejected the calls for arbitration, saying it would “reward Cablevision for refusing to negotiate fairly,” and would “ensure that more unnecessary disputes arise in the future.” According to Cablevision, News Corporation is seeking more than $150 million a year in the new deal, up form the $70 million currently being paid to the company.

In addition to the Fox 5 and My9 stations, the deal covers Fox Deportes, Nat Geo Wild and Fox Business.