Cablevision Sues Viacom Saying Bundling Violates Antitrust Law

Cablevision Systems Corp. sued Viacom Inc. for antitrust violations tied to the industry’s bundling of cable channels into subscriber packages, a practice that spurred a consumer challenge in 2007 that failed in court.

Cablevision alleged in a statement yesterday that it was forced to carry and pay for 14 less-watched ancillary networks it claimed its customers don’t want. Details of Cablevision’s allegations couldn’t be independently confirmed in court records as a result of a sealing order.