Televisa says will have US Internet broadcast rights

TELEVISA SAYS WILL HAVE US INTERNET BROADCAST RIGHTS
[SOURCE: Reuters]
Mexican programmer Televisa on Wednesday said it expected to be able to air its shows on the Internet in the United States, despite remarks by U.S. broadcast partner Univision Communications that the two differ on Web rights. The statement by Grupo Televisa came in response to comments by Univision President Ray Rodriguez last month. Rodriguez told reporters at the Univision upfront presentation to advertisers that there was "a difference of opinion" on Internet rights. Televisa said a long-term programming agreement between the two sides specifically states that Univision may not broadcast or transmit any of its shows "by means of the Internet or similar systems, now existing or hereafter developed." "There is no room for any 'difference of opinion' by Univision or any other party as to this prohibition," the company said. Televisa, which is also part of a group that may bid for control of Univision, said a clause of the programming agreement does bar it from distributing shows over the Internet in the United States. But the provision expires on December 19, after which Televisa believes it will have the right to do so.
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