Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PORTOFSPAIN501
2008-11-10 17:47:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Port Of Spain
Cable title:
CBS PARAMOUNT REACHES DEAL WITH FLOW
how-toVZCZCXRO7879 PP RUEHGR DE RUEHSP #0501 3151747 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 101747Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9493 INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000501
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR EB/TPP/IPE AND WHA/CAR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD KIPR TD
SUBJECT: CBS PARAMOUNT REACHES DEAL WITH FLOW
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
REF: (A) 07 POS 1154 (B) POS 374
UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000501
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR EB/TPP/IPE AND WHA/CAR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD KIPR TD
SUBJECT: CBS PARAMOUNT REACHES DEAL WITH FLOW
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
REF: (A) 07 POS 1154 (B) POS 374
1. (SBU) In an ongoing effort to legitimize its content, Trinidad
and Tobago's major cable TV provider Flow recently purchased the
rights to all news, public affairs, entertainment, and sports
content owned by CBS Paramount. Flow now holds the non-exclusive
rights to broadcast these shows in Trinidad and Tobago for a period
of two years beginning January 1, 2009.
2. (SBU) While this agreement demonstrates Flow's commitment to
regularize its broadcasts, Flow continues to provide ABC, CBS, and
NBC local U.S.-based affiliates' signals to its subscribers
illegally. Since CBS Paramount does not own the rights to a number
of shows aired by these domestic affiliates, it is not able to
pursue the matter through legal channels despite a newly
strengthened copyright law in Trinidad and Tobago. To push the
issue forward, the individual rights holder would have to pursue the
matter with local authorities. In the absence of legal action by
rights holders, the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and
Tobago has expressed reluctance to intervene and prohibit Flow from
showing these channels, given their popularity with viewers in T&T.
AUSTIN
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR EB/TPP/IPE AND WHA/CAR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD KIPR TD
SUBJECT: CBS PARAMOUNT REACHES DEAL WITH FLOW
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
REF: (A) 07 POS 1154 (B) POS 374
1. (SBU) In an ongoing effort to legitimize its content, Trinidad
and Tobago's major cable TV provider Flow recently purchased the
rights to all news, public affairs, entertainment, and sports
content owned by CBS Paramount. Flow now holds the non-exclusive
rights to broadcast these shows in Trinidad and Tobago for a period
of two years beginning January 1, 2009.
2. (SBU) While this agreement demonstrates Flow's commitment to
regularize its broadcasts, Flow continues to provide ABC, CBS, and
NBC local U.S.-based affiliates' signals to its subscribers
illegally. Since CBS Paramount does not own the rights to a number
of shows aired by these domestic affiliates, it is not able to
pursue the matter through legal channels despite a newly
strengthened copyright law in Trinidad and Tobago. To push the
issue forward, the individual rights holder would have to pursue the
matter with local authorities. In the absence of legal action by
rights holders, the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and
Tobago has expressed reluctance to intervene and prohibit Flow from
showing these channels, given their popularity with viewers in T&T.
AUSTIN