Israel- fromglobesonline.com: Sources inform ”Globes” that after cable company HOT threatened to drop the Playboy channel, marketed in Israel by Play TV, the parties signed a new contract yesterday. The sources added that, under the new contract, Playboy agreed to slash the price HOT pays to air the channel, and that the contract term is shorter. HOT threatened to drop the channel after the parties failed to reach an agreement on the lower price HOT wanted to pay.

HOT is renegotiating the contracts for airing content. It wanted Playboy to cut the price of its channel by 20-30%. Play TV initially rejected HOT’s demand, and HOT threatened to replace the Playboy channel with another adult channel. HOT said in response, “As part of an examination of content, including cost, supply and importance of channels, we also examined the Playboy channel.”

HOT has 20,000 subscribers for adult channels Playboy and Blue Hustler. Most subscribers sign up for both channels in a single package costing NIS 45 per month. A subscription for only the Playboy channel costs NIS 30 a month.

“Globes” reported that HOT is trying to cut the cost of content. It is negotiating with content providers to reopen contracts and cut prices. If HOT fails to reach new contracts, it might stop broadcasting BBC Prime, Euro Sport, the Good Life, and Ego channels.