System Failures

摘要

Two sides fail to come to terms on a deal, are forced into a last-minute extension and fail again, leaving TV viewers facing the prospect of losing access to big-ticket programming. Meanwhile, there are pleadings from powerful legislators to keep the programming on the air.rnIf you believe the above is a reference to the ongoing-at least at presstime-retransmission consent dispute between WABC and Cablevision over carriage of the flagship New York affiliate, it's understandable. That tough negotiation drew flak from some in Washington-most notably Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.). It has been ABC's contention that it should get paid what it believes its signal is worth. That is the process Congress and the FCC established, giving broadcasters the option of electing must-carry or trying to negotiate a pay deal.