Late Breaking News

BY JON LAFAYETTE

Satellite provider DirecTV plans to dump ABC Family from its lineup at the end of this month unless the network lowers its proposed 35% rate increase, says Michael Thornton, DirecTV's SVP of programming acquisitions. The 35% increase, allegedly requested as part of a carriage agreement renewal next month, would be in addition to the 34% increase agreed to last year, Thornton says. ?That's one thing that's terrifically hard to swallow,? he says. ?We're clearly not raising our prices 35%. We've got to control costs.? ABC Family would not comment on the rate increases or the details of extending its carriage contract with DirecTV, which expires in April. ?We are surprised and disappointed DirecTV has chosen to threaten their viewers with the loss of ABC Family at this early stage of our negotiations,? a company statement says. Thornton said the only way he would agree to the additional increase is if ABC Family offers some discounts or relief on its sister channels such as the Disney Channel or SoapNet. ABC Family has had to fight for carriage ever since the Walt Disney Co. took over the network ? the former Fox Family Channel ? two years ago.

Cablevision said late Friday it sold all the assets of its the Wiz retail outlets to liquidator GBO Electronics Acquisition LLC. Financial terms were not disclosed. As part of the transaction, GBO will also acquire the Wiz's liabilities and obligations. After closing several Wiz stores last year, Cablevision said in February it would exit the consumer electronics business.

A Cox Communications spokesman confirmed that the MSO is in talks with MSN and other major ISPs to carry their unique high-speed content. A report on Friday said MSN is looking to offer broadband-enhanced programming and features while Cox would handle installs, billing and customer care, similar to MSN's deal with Charter Communications in January.

The city of Waukesha, Wis., appointed Vanessa Sanchez, a 16-year-old Spanish-speaking sophomore, to serve on its telecommunications commission; her task is to share her insights into young television viewers while the city negotiates its franchise renewal with Time Warner Cable.

Strap on those boogie shoes: ABC Family is readying an extensive affiliate marketing campaign for the June launch of Dance Fever, its hourlong revival of the 1980s hit disco dance competition series?. Napoleon, A&E's four-hour miniseries starring Gerard Depardieu, Isabella Rossellini, John Malkovich and Anouk Aimee, runs over two nights from April 8 to 9; on April 10, the network's Biography series presents the tale of another French legend, Marie Antoinette.