A PYMNTS Company

US: Viacom motions to dismiss landmark cable TV case, cites Brantley case

By  |  May 8, 2013
US: Viacom motions to dismiss landmark cable TV case, cites Brantley case

A lawsuit that has potentially major implications for the nation’s cable television market has been motioned for dismissal by defendant Viacom. The case, initiated by cable company Cablevision, alleges that network owner forced anticompetitive fines on Cablevision, threatening the company with a ten-figure fine if Cablevision did not license lesser-watched networks in addition to popular ones. In response, Viacom motioned to have the case dismissed on Wednesday, denying accusations that the company has taken part in per say illegal tying and bundling. Further, Viacom is accusing Cablevision of contradicting itself in its arguments of this case, compared with arguments made in the past to the regulators the Federal Communications Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission. As an example, Viacom highlights last year’s Brantley v. NBCU case, in which Cablevision was a defendant; the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that tying arrangements do not necessarily harm competition.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    Full Content: Hollywood Reporter

    Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.