Charter Communications Inc. has exercised an exit clause in its contract
with Cable Television Laboratories Inc. that would allow it to withdraw from the
consortium in three years, CableLabs CEO Richard Green told Multichannel News
Day Wednesday.
But Green and Charter officials downplayed the move, insisting that it does
not signal that the MSO will pull out.
All CableLabs members -- which pay monthly dues of 2 cents per subscriber --
must give the consortium three years' notice if they want to withdraw
membership, Green said, adding, 'Many companies exercise that right to notify
us, and then they renew it every year.'
Charter spokesman Dave Andersen said the letter, sent to
CableLabs April 4, was just a formality.
'It's smart in today's business environment to leave your options open,' he
added.
