DirecTV, Columbus haggle over cable rights

Recently, DirecTV questioned whether Columbus had the authority to legally broadcast HBO and Cinemax. Columbus admitted that while it did not have a licence to broadcast these channels, it was currently in negotiations with HBO and Cinemax to obtain contractual arrangements to do so.

Contacted yesterday, Pantin told Newsday that he wrote to Columbus last week to remind that company of its own commitment to transition away from pirated channels by March 31. He said based on that correspondence, he was hopeful that the entire situation involving the broadcasting of HBO and Cinemax would be resolved soon.

Meanwhile, Columbus yesterday advertised the launch of a new system called Flow which industry sources said would be an all-in-one package involving cable, Internet and fixed phone services.

Sources said Flow was similar to triple play packages which were now being offered in the United States with mixed success.

One source said Columbus’ launch of Flow coincided with the Telecommunications Authority’s award of a cable licence to TSTT and both entities were aiming to become dominant players in the local cable market.

Contacted yesterday, TSTT officials confirmed the company had been awarded a cable licence but had no comment to make on any plans it had for cable services.

Columbus’ marketing and communications manager Ria Yawching said she was to be unavailable for comment when Newsday contacted her office yesterday.