Eagle Communications, based in Hays, is in negotiations with Viacom, owner of MTV Networks, to continue offering their channels.

Broadband Division General Manager Travis Kohlrus said in a news release, “Eagle recently provided notice to our customers that our carriage of these networks could be at risk if we do not reach a new agreement by March 31.”

Eagle Communications carries these MTV Networks: MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1, TV Land, CMT, Spike, Comedy Central, MTV2, MTV Jams, MTVHits, CMT Pure Country, VH1 Soul, VH1 Classic, Nick Jr., Teennick and Nicktoons.

“While we hope to maintain carriage of these networks, we notified customers in an effort to be open about our discussions. We have produced a new website, www.TVOnMySide.com to keep our community up to date on trends in programming costs, and we welcome customer feedback at this site,” said Kohlrus.

“Across the country, networks are increasing their fees to cable companies, which affect customers directly,” explained Kohlrus.

“We want our customers to know that fees from all the networks we carry account for the bulk of monthly cable bills.  Imagine pulling up to the gas pump and finding gas has gone from $3.50 a gallon to $6.00 – overnight. That’s the scale of some of these large increases. Our goal is to protect our customers from these significant programming fee increases.”

Eagle Communications pays programmers such as Viacom a fee per channel per month per customer for their programming.  When these contracts near expiration, “we negotiate new agreements and that concludes that business deal.  But when a multi-billion dollar company such as Viacom demands a significant increase in its monthly fees, we believe it’s our responsibility to take a stand,” Kohlrus added.

Eagle Communications operates cable TV systems in 30 Kansas and Colorado communities.