Yes to stop airing CNN by year's end
Year after HOT cable company dropped American news channel, satellite broadcaster announces decision not to renew contract with station, likely due to financial dispute
A year ago, the HOT cable company bid farewell to CNN as well, replacing it with the MSNBC news channel.
Like HOT, it appears Yes is dropping CNN due to the high costs involved in its maintenance. The channel will be taken off the air at the end of 2012. The company's subscribers will be left with seven other news stations in addition to the channel which will replace CNN.
This is the third time CNN is dropped by the cable and satellite broadcasters. In 2007, HOT stopped airing the channel due to a financial dispute. It returned to the cable company in 2009, only to be taken off the air again in 2011.
Yes said in response, "We have decided not to renew the contract with the CNN channel, which ends at the end of the year. These days the company is looking into alternatives for the channel.
"The company offers a variety of news channels in the English language, including Sky News, BBC World, Bloomberg, Fox News and more."
CNN said in response, "CNN is looking into ways to continue bringing the channel's news to Israel. It should be noted that the US elections are approaching, and in light of the ongoing dynamics in the region and the global events affecting all of us, there is a need for independent and objective journalism.
"CNN has recently increased its audience in Asia and will remain the leading news channel. For the channel, leadership comes with responsibility for its viewers, and that comes before any other consideration."
