Viacom Motion To Dismiss Cablevision Suit Denied

Federal Court denied Viacom’s request to dismiss a suit by Cablevision Systems that charges the programming for antitrust violations in the way it bundles its cable networks.

In the suit, filed in February 2013, Cablevision charged that Viacom was forcing it to carry and pay for 14 low-rated networks in order to carry popular channels like Nickelodeon, MTV and Comedy Central. The cable operator also claims Viacom is unlawfully block-booking in the way it sells its channels.

“We are gratified the Court has ruled that Cablevision has stated a valid antitrust claim against Viacom for illegal channel tying,” Cablevision said. “We continue to believe that Viacom’s tying of its popular networks to carriage of its lesser-watched ancillary networks is illegal, anti-consumer, and wrong. We look forward to further pressing our case at the next stage of the proceeding.”

The ruling was made by the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.