Univision Says Charter Subs Face Blackout in Fee Impasse

Univision says it will inform Charter Communications subscribers that they might lose access to Univision programming in a carriage-fee dispute.

Univision in July sued Charter because it said Charter was looking to pay rates negotiated with Time Warner Cable after Charter acquired Time Warner Cable. Fox News filed a similar suit against Charter.

Since then, Univision says it has made many attempts to resolve the dispute by offering “good-faith solutions.” Charter, it said, rejected all of its efforts.

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“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,” Univision said in a statement.

It was not clear when Univision would deny its signal to Charter subscribers.

In response, Charter said: "We have a contract with Univision and expect them to honor it."

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Here is the full statement from Unvision:

“In July 2016,  Univision had no choice but to initiate litigation against Charter Communications Inc. because Charter had taken the preposterous position that Time Warner Cable -- which Charter 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. 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. Univision 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.”

Jon Lafayette

Jon has been business editor of Broadcasting+Cable since 2010. He focuses on revenue-generating activities, including advertising and distribution, as well as executive intrigue and merger and acquisition activity. Just about any story is fair game, if a dollar sign can make its way into the article. Before B+C, Jon covered the industry for TVWeek, Cable World, Electronic Media, Advertising Age and The New York Post. A native New Yorker, Jon is hiding in plain sight in the suburbs of Chicago.