Independent Programmers Support New Charter

At Charter, we are proud of our longstanding commitment to independent and diverse programming. We currently offer more than 100 minority-focused networks, including Bounce TV, TV One, Fuse, and El Ray. Charter also offers our customers more Spanish-language programming than any other major provider.

Offering our customers access to these channels is a commitment we take seriously. It is a commitment we will continue as New Charter. That’s why so many of the country’s leading independent programmers have come out in support of New Charter.

As Politico’s Alex Byers reported earlier this week, while a couple of programmers have criticized New Charter, “[c]halk this up as a good example of a company using a merger review to win a better business deal…Trying to use FCC proceedings for a business advantage has become a fairly common strategy for programmers and pay-TV companies.”

Charter’s support of independent, diverse and family-friendly programming is a reflection of our efforts to make sure our company reflects the interests and concerns of the communities we serve.

For further updates on this and other policy issues involving Charter, please make sure you’re following @CharterGov and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/CharterGov.

INDEPENDENT PROGRAMMERS SUPPORT NEW CHARTER

Alfred Liggins III, CEO and Chairman, TV One to FCC:
“Charter’s decision to increase TV One’s carriage on more widely penetrated tiers, and therefore more affordable programming packages for African-American consumers in key urban markets, demonstrates its commitment to offering diverse and independent programming.”

“We are excited to connect with millions of more viewers under New Charter. We believe the company has outlined impressive targets for the future, and we look forward to contributing to greater programming options for consumers of all interests.”

Sharon Rechter, Co-Founder of BabyFirst to FCC:
“BabyFirst supports the merger of Charter Communications and Time Warner Cable because both companies currently demonstrate a true commitment to diverse, independent and quality programming for children and their parents. We look forward to their continued support of our growth.”

Patrick Gottsch, Founder and President of Rural Media Group, Inc.:
“Rural America recognizes that its best opportunity to reconnect city with country again is to have Charter Communications control access to the urban homes currently being served by Time Warner Cable and Bright House systems.”

David Cerullo, Chairman and CEO, INSP, LLC to FCC:
“Charter and INSP have a long-standing and successful relationship. In our experience, Charter has been pro-active in its support of wholesome entertainment and value-based content, and has demonstrated this commitment by adding INSP in systems throughout the country. At present, INSP is available in approximately 3.4 million homes served by Charter. From our perspective Charter has not only supported the entrepreneurial spirit but also the important role media has on influencing Americans with family values.”

Alexander Brown, President and CEO, One World Sports to FCC:
“Charter has been an important and supportive partner of OWS in bringing to market programming of specific interest to ethnic minorities. We are confident that Charter will continue to operate in this manner after the proposed merger.”

Charles Segars, CEO, Ovation to FCC:
“Unlike the critics who have been vocal about a perceived threat to family and independently owned networks, we believe this merger would be beneficial to viable, independent channels like Ovation. We have found Charter to be responsive to channels like ours that meet the interests of viewers not currently being served in the marketplace, and that have solid financial backing and a compelling value proposition along with uplifting and entertaining programming.”

Michael Schwimmer, CEO, Fuse Media to FCC: “I write to offer my support for the proposed Charter/Time Warner Cable merger because I believe that the applicants have shown through their actions, not just their words, that multicultural independent programmers like Fuse Media will fare better as a result of this combination.”

Mark Cuban, Chairman and Founder, AXS TV to FCC: “Charter has always been a customer-focused company, with a past of bringing the latest innovations and technology to its subscribers. Charter also has a history of working well and being proactive with minority and independent networks.”

 

Lynne Costantini, President, Business Development, TheBlaze to FCC: “TheBlaze believes the proposed transaction will increase distribution opportunities for emerging content providers and increase the diversity of viewpoints available to and demanded by consumers. We urge the Commission to approve this transaction with minimal government interference.”

Burke Berendes, Partner, Codista:
“Charter’s support of the independent networks that make up the bulk of the Spanish language content available in the US has been good to Condista, the networks we represent, to Charter and its shareholders and, most importantly the Hispanic community.”

 Ambassador Andrew Young, Co-Founder, Bounce TV:
“Charter has long been a strong supporter of minority-owned networks like Bounce TV and we believe that these transactions are in the public interest and will be beneficial to Bounce TV viewers, African Americans and all ethnicities.”

“We are thrilled that New Charter will make the offerings of Time Warner Cable and Bright House more diverse and richer for the more than 14 million African-American television households in the United States that are grossly underserved on television.”

Bill Abbott, CEO, Crown Media to FCC: 
“Charter’s wide-spread distribution of the Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries reflects its recognition of the value of their family content and its commitment to programming diversity. We do not have other leverage (such as retransmission consent) to force such carriage — we must rely upon the popularity of our content.”

“In view of Charter’s history of supporting our channels and other unaffiliated and independent programmers, we believe the proposed merger of Charter, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House will be a positive development for the Hallmark channels and other independent networks.”

Stan Hubbard, CEO, REELZ:
“Both Charter and Time Warner Cable have a proven appreciation for the importance and value of the independent network and voice, which REELZ perfectly represents, in today’s increasingly consolidated television industry.”

“We encourage the FCC to embrace this merger and grant its approval because we believe the public will be the beneficiaries of what these forward-thinking companies have to offer.”