ESPN Finally Blinks

摘要

ESPN's retreat from its aggressive rate hikes will keep parent company Disney looking good, but only for year or two. After that, the new deals hammered out last week could crimp its growth. The sports network resolved a caustic license-renewal fight with MSO Cox Communications as Disney CEO Michael Eisner is struggling to dispel harsh criticism of how he runs the company. The new terms signed by Cox, and by Charter Communications as well, give ESPN 7% average annual rate increases over the next nine years.