STRATA Fighting Rising Cable Rates

STRATA Networks announced today that as of May 19, 2014, it will no longer be offering Viacom channels via their cable television service due to a drastic rate increase imposed by Viacom. Viacom channels currently consist of the following networks: CMT, CMT Pure Country, Comedy Central, MTV, MTV2, MTV Hits, MTV Jams, MTV TR3S, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Nick Teen, Nick Toons, Spike, TV Land, VH-1, VH-1 Classic, VH-1 Soul.

STRATA’s decision to discontinue carriage of the Viacom channels comes at the end of a lengthy contract renewal negotiation that ended with Viacom demanding a rate that would nearly double over the next five years. Viacom’s demands come at a time when viewership on their networks is down, some by as much as 30%. Additionally, Viacom is unwilling to allow STRATA to drop the less popular channels that consumers typically don’t want.

“Our focus is to provide a high quality television experience to our customers at a reasonable rate. By accepting the terms of the Viacom agreement, STRATA would be required to pass along a large rate increase to our television subscribers. The feedback we have received from our customers is that they do not want to see a rate increase. By discontinuing the Viacom channels we will be able to avoid a rate increase that was previously scheduled for May 2014,” stated Bruce H. Todd, General Manager/CEO of STRATA.

“Consumers and television operators like STRATA are becoming tired of the exorbitant demands imposed by programmers such as Viacom. STRATA consumers want more flexibility in the channels that they pay for; and they don’t want to be required to pay for channels they don’t watch. By eliminating channels with declining viewership, STRATA can reduce yearly rate increases and make space for more popular channels,” Todd said.

For more information, please contact Tyler Rasmussen at 622-5007, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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