Both sides traded insults today in the continuing war of words.

"It is now painfully clear to millions of New York area households that Disney CEO Bob Iger will hold his own ABC viewers hostage in order to extract $40 million in new fees from Cablevision," said Charles Schueler, Cablevision's executive vice president of communications.

"This follows two years of negotiations, during which we worked diligently, up to the final moments, to reach an agreement," countered Rebecca Campbell, president and general manager of WABC-TV. "Cablevision pocketed almost $8 billion last year, and now customers aren't getting what they pay for again. It's time for Jim Dolan and the Dolan Family Dynasty to finally step up, be fair, and do what's right for our viewers."

The programming dispute is the latest flap between networks and TV providers over compensation for the right to carry channels.

Swanni's Take:
Okay, who was the idiot at Cablevision who allowed its agreement with WABC to expire on the day of an Oscar broadcast?

Also see:
Consumer Reports: 'Best Buys' For HDTVs

10 Best-Selling Blu-ray Movies!

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Phillip Swann is president and publisher of TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in dozens of publications and broadcast outlets, including CNN, Fox News, Inside Edition, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Financial Times, The Associated Press and The Hollywood Reporter. He can be reached at swann@tvpredictions.com or at 703-505-3064.

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