If there’s one big cable operator you’d expect to grasp both sides of the broadcast retransmission issue, its Cox, which also includes significant television and radio properties in its portfolio. Cox Cable has agreed to carriage terms with Hearst-Argyle, including eight stations in six markets. Although full terms were not released, the agreement does call for HDTV and multicast carriage along with continued carriage of the stations’ analog signals (a requirement recently codified by the FCC regardless). The stations include NBC WESH-TV and CW WKCF-TV in Orlando FL; ABC KMBC-TV in Kansas City MO, Missouri; ABC KOCO-TV, Oklahoma City OK; NBC WDSU-TV New Orleans LA; ABC KETV-TV in Omaha NE; and ABC KHBS-TV/KHOG-TV, Fort Smith/Fayetteville AR.
Meanwhile, Hearst-Argyle announced a dividend for Series A and B common stock shareholders of record as of 10/5/07. On 10/15/07 these shareholders will receive a payout of seven cents per share.
