Univision Warns of Potential Blackout for Charter Customers

NEW YORK: A carriage spat between Univision Communications and Charter Communications could lead to channels going dark on the platform in major markets such as New York and Los Angeles.

Univision initiated litigation against Charter back in July 2016 regarding the carrier’s breach of contract agreements that predate its merger with Time Warner Cable. Charter has taken the position that Time Warner Cable, which it acquired in May 2016, was actually managing the newly combined company and that Charter had no obligation to honor contracts that required it to negotiate new carriage deals with Univision.

“This is a perfect example of how a behemoth cable company like Charter uses its excessive market power to harm content companies and the millions of subscribers who rely on Univision and its suite of networks for vital news and information in language,” Univision said in a statement. “Despite Univision’s many attempts to resolve the dispute by offering good-faith settlement solutions, Charter has rejected all of Univision’s efforts. Given this unfortunate impasse, Univision has no choice but to inform Charter’s customers that they may lose access to Univision’s networks and stations.”

The Spanish-language broadcast giant said that it is “committed to continuing to fight for the dignity and value of our community in the marketplace and the important role we play in providing a voice for Hispanic America during these uncertain times.”