Univision Back On Spectrum, Thanks To TRO

By Adam R Jacobson – RBR + TVBR

Univision, UniMás, and Galavisión are once again on Charter Communications’ Spectrum systems nationwide.

The late Thursday move is the result of a temporary restraining order granted to Charter by the Supreme Court For The State of New York, a move that returns Univision programming … for a week.

Charter was swift in issuing a statement stating that Univision Communications stations would no longer be blacked out on its Spectrum systems, which include the major Univision markets of Los Angeles and New York.

However, Univision quickly followed up with its own update on its suit against Charter, explaining, “A judge who was temporarily assigned to our case today said that she planned to issue an order that Univision’s networks and stations be restored on Charter Spectrum for seven days.”

Thus, the order lasts until Thursday, Feb. 9, when the judge permanently assigned to the litigation is back in court, a Univision spokesperson explains.

Additionally, for the seven-day period that it is receiving Univision’s services, Charter Spectrum will be required to post a bond covering what Univision says is “the actual market value of Univision’s programming, rather than the inadequate rates that Charter Spectrum has been paying.”

The Hispanic and millennial-focused media company added that it “remains ready and willing to meet at any time with Charter Spectrum to engage in comprehensive, good-faith negotiations for the long-term carriage of our stations and networks. To date, Charter Spectrum has steadfastly refused to engage in such negotiations.”

The TRO from the judge is the latest chapter in a dramatic telenovela that’s come to fruition over the last week, involving a Hispanic media giant in the role of David and a mighty multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) being painted as a Goliath.

Reprinted by permission from the Radio + Television Business Report