Thread: CBS CHIEF: I'LL YANK MY NETWORK OFF THE AIR

CBS chief: I'll yank network off the air

We know you have a healthy disdain for the broadcast networks these days.

But now the man who loves his programming the most, the CEO of CBS, is threatening to yank his network completely off the air ...

WND MEDIA

CBS CHIEF: I'LL YANK MY NETWORK OFF THE AIR

CEO threatens to pull broadcasts

Published: 12 hours ago
JOE KOVACS




The head of CBS is threatening to take his top-rated network off the air and instead offer TV programs directly to viewers on the Internet.
Tuesday’s comments from CEO Leslie Moonves center on the fight involving major broadcasters who are challenging Aereo’s use of their broadcast signals without paying for them. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case in April.
“If there are systems out there that try to hurt us, then we could go to OTT,” Moonves said.
OTT is an abbreviation for “over the top,” which in broadcast jargon means providing television over the Internet, outside of a pay TV subscription.
“If Aereo should work, if they should win, which we don’t think is going to happen, we could go OTT with CBS,” Moonves said.
“If the government wants to give them permission to steal our signal, then we will come up with some other way to get them our content and so get paid for it,” he added.

Les Moonves, CEO of CBS (image courtesy CNBC)

Aereo is a tiny startup backed by billionaire Barry Diller’s IAC/InterActiveCorp, which uses an antenna and remote DVR technology to let subscribers watch live, local over-the-air TV, without making any payments to the program creators.
This is not the first time Moonves and other executives have raised the possibility of going off the air and instead using cable subscriptions if Aereo is given the legal green light.
“However, such a move would be complicated by implications of its own,” notes Joan Solsman of CNET News.
“The government, for example, granted broadcasters valuable segments of radio-frequency spectrum to carry their signals decades ago, provided that they also offer programming that serves the common good. Moving programming off the airwaves could call into question their hold on spectrum they’re using less and less.”
Meanwhile, CNET says Aereo’s Supreme Court case remains a question mark.
“Last month, a U.S. district court granted the first preliminary injunction against Aereo out of the patchwork of lawsuits against the company, handing broadcasters their first clear legal win ahead of their Supreme Court appearance,” said Solsman.
“The court’s decision will affect Utah, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Wyoming. Of the 11 cities where Aereo currently operates, Salt Lake City and Denver fall under the decision’s scope.
“Similar preliminary injunctions have been denied in the New York-based Second Circuit court of appeals and in Boston, something Aereo has touted as support for its legal status as it heads to the country’s highest court.”

http://www.wnd.com/2014/03/cbs-chief...k-off-the-air/

WND RELATED STORIES

Democrat wants FCC to stifle Fox News
Reporter faints on air, but continues interview
Decision in case of 'wuss' news anchor
News legend: We thought Obama was 'messiah'
News anchor can't take 'joke,' presses charges
Media flayed for 'kiss a--' Obama worship
Chris Matthews: 'Obama came amongst us'
Sharpton barks about Drudge, WND, Fox, Rush
Fox News atheist Democrat: I met Jesus
Reporter has 'Jewish demeanor' on Fox News
Obama's media lapdogs ban 'dirty' word
Report: CNN to drop Piers Morgan
Chicago radio legend loses cancer battle
Chris Matthews: Hitler never used chemical weapons
HBO series takes ironic smack at WND
Megyn Kelly replacing Sean Hannity on Fox?
Rush: The untold reason newspapers are dying
ABC 'newswoman' reveals the 'breast' of the story
GOP uncorks stunning strategy for prez race
Editor fired over 'shove it' Obama headline
Look who just stole 'The Girls on Fox News'
Fox News parent co. funneling money to Dems?
MSNBC anchor unloads on WND chief
Talk star returns focusing on Obama's real dad
What does Katie hate more than being called 'perky'?
Report: CBS News anchor ordered to apologize
Creepy 'viewer' freaks out TV weather gal
Katie Couric show to be canceled?
Talk-radio star fired after 'violent' clash
Famous face disappearing off CNN?
Ratings crash: MSNBC in massive plunge
Rush: Dems want new controls on journalists
Wolf Blitzer to atheist: Thank God, right?
Obama scandals killing his minion media
Rush Limbaugh makes stunning offer to Obama
ABC newsman becomes 'newswoman'
Only 1 Fox anchor makes most trusted list
CNN newsgal outraged after teen robs her
TV news anchor drops F-bombs on media
Rush Limbaugh may buy national TV time
Weather gal gets wacky when 'disaster' hits
CNN host calls self 'The Enormous C---'
NBC newswomen: We're lovers, having a baby
CNN goes public on whether it's liberal
Left gets 'vicious' over 'Girls on Fox News'
Top newsman: 'Most of media bullsh-- you'
Out-of-work, liberal news anchor 'seeks sympathy'
Guess which 'news' channel ... isn't news
Look what's happened to women of Fox News
Ear-popping meltdown: Fox anchor erupts on air
ABC News makes whopping on-air blooper
Epic eruption: Dem explodes on Fox anchor
Eye-opening admission about Candy Crowley
Police: CBS News anchor chokes wife
Now CNN anchor wants to amend Bible
CNN anchor now faces double deportation
Report: NBC News anchor 'defied police'
CNN anchor takes weird shot at Fox News
CNN star caught reading liberal blog on air
Rush Limbaugh: CNN will shift political stance
CNN's Anderson Cooper: You bet I'm 'gay'
Media humiliated over election coverage
Rush Limbaugh ponders running CNN
Rush Limbaugh: Katie Couric destroyed CBS News
'Balloon animal' Couric scorched by AOL users
'Bias' aired out on Rush Limbaugh


http://www.wnd.com/2014/03/cbs-chief...k-off-the-air/