Oil slinging: Broadcasters compare cable alliance to BP

An alliance of cable operators, their friends and enemies (excluding Comcast) has been slicked with oil by the National Association of Broadcasters--or at least its mouthpiece.

"The notion that Time Warner and its big pay TV allies are part of a group designed to 'protect consumers' is about as credible as BP executives joining Greenpeace," according to NAB spokesman Dennis Wharton.

Apparently not one to heed War's iconic plea, "Why can't we be friends?" Wharton ripped the American Television Alliance's claim it is trying to protect consumers from protracted contract stalemates where broadcast channels are used as bargaining chips.

"Pay TV built its business on the backs of broadcast programming and it is not unreasonable for local TV stations to expect fair compensation for the most-watched TV shows."

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