A pricing stalemate between Viacom and Spectrum may cause Orlando cable customers to lose 23 channels as early as Sunday night.
In a statement, Viacom warned it would be pulling its channels – including Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Spike, CMT and 17 others – if a deal isn't reached.
“We are running notifications on all our channels to warn Spectrum customers of the potential blackout, and the fact that we have made offers to Spectrum that would enable them to lower customers’ cable bills,” the company said in a media statement.
On its website, Spectrum struck back, accusing Viacom of “dragging (customers) into the middle of their business negotiations.”
“Viacom is threatening to remove their channels unless Spectrum agrees to significantly overpay for them,” the Spectrum website said. “We are negotiating with them in good faith and are optimistic that a fair deal can be reached.”
Spectrum argued that by paying less for Viacom programing, it would be able to lower costs for consumers.
Channel 9 reached out to Spectrum for further comment but phone calls and emails were not immediately returned.
Viacom did not give a specific time when it might pull its channels Sunday night.
Cox Media Group
