CBS is expected to announce its second retransmission deal in as many weeks today, this time with Verizon’s FioS, which serves 8.2 million homes in 14 states, according to sources.
The deal follows a similar pact with Time Warner Cable. Neither side is acknowledging that CBS is being paid for its broadcast network signal.
Television distributors have historically received broadcast signals for free and have resisted any attempts by programmers like CBS to charge for them outright.
CBS boss Les Moonves estimates the payments could add up to $250 million to CBS’ bottom line.