Suddenlink, Insight enter retransmission spotlight

Two more MSOs, Suddenlink Communications and Insight Communications, have nudged their way into a retransmission consent dispute spotlight being hogged by Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC-WI) and Sinclair Broadcast Group.

Suddenlink has until Dec. 31 to resolve its differences with cable programming provider Viacom (NYSE: VIA) (the purveyor or MTV, Nickelodeon, the Comedy Channel and Spike TV, among others) or have those nets go dark. On the plus side, Suddenlink has promised if the channels go dark it will compensate viewers with lower prices.

Still, the MSO is confident things will be worked out because "many of these contract negotiations are not completed until just before their expiration date," a company statement said.

Insight is having its own problems with Raycom Media but is "hopeful of a positive outcome." A positive outcome, which seemed possible just a week ago with Time Warner Cable and Sinclair, though, has been thrown into doubt as the two companies hunker down for a holiday week's worth of staredown.

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