-Caveat Lector- http://www.reuters.com/locales/newsArticle.jsp? type=entertainmentNews&locale=en_CA&storyID=2474409
30 Mar 2003 23:39 Israeli Cable TV Companies to Remove BBC News Channel By Steven Scheer JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's three cable television companies said Sunday they would drop 24-hour news channel BBC World from their systems at the end of March due to failure to reach an agreement on a new contract. A spokeswoman for the cable companies, now in merger talks, said they had weighed getting rid of either BBC or Sky News at the end of their contracts. They decided on BBC because it refused to lower its asking price. "In the last year we renewed almost all of our contracts," the spokeswoman, Anat Zisman, said. "Almost every supplier, and there are about 40, cooperated and reduced their prices. They understood (Israel's economic troubles) but BBC ignored it. "That was something we had to take into our decision," she said. "BBC didn't renegotiate." In a statement, BBC said it was disappointed its news channel would no longer be carried on Israeli cable systems but noted that the growing digital satellite TV provider YES would still keep the news station. "We are deeply disappointed that the cable operators felt it necessary to remove BBC World, particularly as its loss will have a significant impact on viewers' choice and access at a crucial time in world events," BBC said. "But as a commercial channel, we were unable to accept the cable operators' proposal which wasn't commercially viable." Zisman denied the move had anything to do with BBC World's coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that some Israelis have criticized as biased against Israel, which BBC has denied. The three companies moved to cancel CNN International last year for what they called financial reasons before a last minute deal was struck. CNN's parent had accused the companies of trying to silence its coverage of the conflict, but that charge was denied. Zisman said that the financially strapped cable companies of Golden Channels, Tevel and Matav could not carry four international news networks, especially since Israel will soon be launching its own all-news station and the cable companies needed to find that channel a slot. "We don't have unlimited space for all the channels," Zisman said. "We will be launching other channels and need spectrum." In addition to BBC and Sky, cable systems also carry the international version of Cable News Network (CNN) and the U.S. Fox News Channel. CNBC Europe, which often switches to MSNBC News, has recently been added to the cable lineup. Forwarded for your information. The text and intent of the article have to stand on their own merits. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without charge or profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe simply because it has been handed down for many genera- tions. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumoured by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is written in Holy Scriptures. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of teachers, elders or wise men. Believe only after careful observation and analysis, when you find that it agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all. Then accept it and live up to it." The Buddha on Belief, from the Kalama Sutra <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http://archive.jab.org/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http://archive.jab.org/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
