No tiptoeing around the cord cutting question for DISH chmn Charlie Ergen. "Personally, I think it’s happening," he said during Wed’s 2Q earnings call. His point was that people want to save money and have other options, including the Internet. In the long-term, he expects a virtual a la carte offering. "I don’t see consumers paying $2K a year for TV." He also talked up his relationship with Mark Cuban and AXS TV (formerly HDNet), which replaced AMC. Read more in today’s issue.

Also in the August 9 issue of CableFAX Daily:

Liberty Media shares closed up 2.5% after it announced it would separate Starz.

As the informal Aug 21 deadline to review the Verizon /cable spectrum deal nears, fights over issues like commercial agreements intensify.

The London Olympics could become the most-watched TV event in the US history as NBC averaged 30.1mln viewers Tues night.

The Daily

Subscribe
Tuesday–November 24

Doing Good

Lifetime announced “Gift of a Lifetime,” part of the net’s pro-social giveback initiative partnering with charities to identify five women and their families to receive the “gift of a lifetime”

Read the Full Issue
The Skinny is delivered on Tuesday and focuses on the cable profession. You'll stay in the know on the headlines, topics and special issues you value most. Sign Up