Viamedia expands Windstream spot advertising deal to 4 more markets

Despite its ongoing $225 million suit against Comcast, claiming the MSO’s Spotlight unit is choking off competition in cable’s “spot” advertising industry, Viamedia is still managing to sign new business.

The ad sales company announced today that it’s expanded its deal with operator Windstream to cover designated marketing areas (DMAs) in four additional areas: Houston, Charlotte, North Carolina, Lexington, Kentucky and Lincoln, Nebraska. Viamedia already represents Windstream in the Greensboro, North Carolina, and Johnstown-Altoona, Pennsylvania DMAs.

RELATED: Comcast can’t get $225M Viamedia suit dismissed

“Viamedia is a clear leader and the right choice to manage our television ad sales in these markets,” said Terry Roush, director, IPTV and satellite product management and development at Windstream. “We’re confident that the local businesses that rely on us for advertising will continue to benefit from the range of innovation Viamedia has to offer.”

Viamedia and Comcast Spotlight specialize in selling local advertising media controlled by cable operators. This business is also known as “spot” advertising.

In November, an Illinois court refused to toss a $225 million suit filed by Viamedia, which claims Comcast’s media sales division illegally impeded competition in spot advertising. Viamedia filed suit against Comcast in May in the Northern District of Illinois federal court, accusing Comcast Spotlight of shutting out rivals from interconnects it controls. 

“Viamedia has plausibly alleged that defendants engaged in conduct that lowered the quality of service available in the spot cable advertising representation market, and that this conduct resulted in harm to Viamedia,” Judge Amy St. Eve said in her ruling.

Viamedia reps didn’t immediately respond to FierceCable’s inquiry for an update on the suit.