Reportedly, the bondholders are unhappy with the buy-out terms. PrimeStar originally set a March 1 deadline for tendering the bonds, but had to extend the sale to March 15. Time Warner Cable's comparison is apples to oranges.
Franchise fees are a cost of doing business for cable video monopolies.
There is no correlation whatsoever between those fees and this proposed tax on the satellite industry. It is an anti-competitive move, plain and simple. Time Warner Cable said the fee would match the 5 percent franchise fees cable pays to local governments. The event will take place at Ergen's home in the Denver area. The Arizona senator also has formed an exploratory committee for a run at the presidency in 2000.