L!VE Cable Dispute

In the dispute between CableTel UK Ltd and L!VE TV, the High Court has ruled that CableTel had technically met its carriage operation contract with the TV company.

The cable channel had been excluded from the First Choice package recently launched by CableTel; L!VE challenged the legality of this. In May, a court order ruled that CableTel was in breach of its contract with L!VE. The operator had 28 days to ensure that L!VE was carried free as part of its First Choice channel option *Manchester L!ve Confident Of Success.

During this time, CableTel has rebranded First Choice as Sample Choice, neither the original TV package or the revised one carries L!VE. L!VE then took CableTel back to court; the High Court ruled that CableTel is not required to carry L!VE on Sample Choice.

Robert MacKenzie, NTL group director of legal affairs, issued the following statement: “Wire TV Ltd took exception that L!VE TV was not included in Sample Choice and issued these new proceedings. We are pleased to report that the judge confirmed that our marketing strategy fell within the terms of the agreement between the parties for the carriage of L!VE TV and consequently CableTel is not required to carry the channel on Sample Choice.”

L!VE TV, however, is not satisfied with the verdict and has applied to take CableTel to the Court of Appeal. Commenting on the events, Richard Horwood, deputy managing director of Mirror TV which produces L!VE TV, said: “We are obviously disappointed that the swift justice we won last time has not been repeated at this stage. We are immediately applying to the Court of Appeal, and hope to have a further hearing within a very short-time. We will continue to defend out contracts.” * Subscribers only

CableTel: 01252 402 662

L!VE TV: 0171 293 3267