Operations: Briefs

Cable World, April 17, 2000

CUTTING A DEAL

Cox Communications and Charter Communications have cut retransmission consent deals with Hearst-Argyle TV. Terms weren't released, but Hearst-Argyle had been trying to boost carriage of its lifetime Movies channel in exchange for letting the operators carry the broadcasters' local signals. Hearst-Argyle, which owns some ABC affiliates, is negotiating retrans deals with Time Warner Cable, Comcast and Cableone. The broadcaster gave Time Warner another 30-day retransmission extension until May 2.

WASH OUT

A computer glitch, coupled with an erroneous flash flood message from the National weather service, caused MediaOne customers In Nashua, N.H., to miss programming April 9, including crucial moments of the Masters golf tournament. A typical two-minute warning turned into an hour-long interruption, leaving TV viewers unable to watch any programming.

IN PURSUIT

Time Warner Cable is seeking multiple dwelling unit contracts in its race with RCN Corp. to secure deals in New York City. The MSO is targeting the Queens borough for its first rollout of new digital cable services and Road Runner. According to the New York Post, TW is offering customers bulk Road Runners deal to compete with RCN's bundled packages of voice, video and data services.