Ok I will post a couple more E* related stuff:
New Viacom's Cable Networks Are Included with CBS Corp.'s Programming Under Certain of Viacom's Affiliation Agreements and New Affiliation Agreements May Be More Difficult to Negotiate Following the Separation
Viacom is party to affiliation agreements with cable and DTH satellite operators pursuant to which both New Viacom's cable networks and CBS Corp.'s television programming are carried by these distributors. After these agreements expire, New Viacom's cable networks will no longer be included with CBS Corp.'s programming. There can therefore be no assurance that New Viacom will be able to negotiate new affiliation agreements with these distributors on terms as favorable as was previously
possible.
Another:
The Loss of Affiliation Agreements or Retransmission Agreements Could Materially Adversely Affect CBS Corp.'s Results of Operations
CBS Network and UPN provide their affiliates with up to 98 and 10 hours, respectively, of Monday through Friday programming per week. In return, CBS Network's affiliated stations and UPN's affiliated stations broadcast network-inserted commercials during that programming. Loss of network affiliation agreements of CBS Network and UPN could adversely affect CBS Corp.'s results of operations by reducing the reach of CBS Corp.'s programming and therefore its attractiveness to advertisers and renewal on less favorable terms may also adversely affect CBS Corp.'s results of operations.
The non-renewal or termination of retransmission agreements with distributors such as Comcast Corporation, Time Warner Cable, a division of Time Warner Inc., DIRECTV Holdings LLC, or EchoStar Communications Corporation, which we refer to in this Prospectus-Information Statement as 'EchoStar,'' or continued distribution on less favorable terms, could also adversely affect CBS Corp.'s ability to distribute its network programming to a nationwide audience and affect CBS Corp.'s ability to
sell advertising, which could have a material adverse effect on CBS Corp.'s results of operations. Showtime Networks is dependent upon the maintenance of affiliation agreements with cable and DTH satellite operators, and there can be no assurance that these affiliation agreements will be renewed in the future on terms acceptable to Showtime Networks. The loss of one or more of these arrangements would reduce the distribution of Showtime Networks' premium subscription television program services and reduce revenues from subscriber fees. Further, the loss of favorable packaging,
positioning, pricing or other marketing opportunities with any distributor could reduce revenues from subscriber fees.
In addition, consolidation among cable and DTH satellite operators and increased vertical integration of such distributors into the cable or broadcast network business has provided more leverage to these providers and could adversely affect CBS Corp.'s ability to maintain or obtain distribution for its network programming or distribution and/or marketing for its premium subscription program services on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.
SO... It looks like there will be no problems now... (unless Charlie gets a bug up his A$$ and thinks he can make a buck... But looks like could be in for a mess when the contract does expire...