HispanicBusiness

Negotiations resumed Thursday but broadcasts didn't in the pay-TV battles that have knocked popular local and cable channels off the sets of many local viewers.

"Active discussions" took place Thursday between Nickelodeon and Comedy Central provider Viacom Inc. and satellite broadcaster DirecTV, said DirecTV spokesman Robert Mercer.

The two companies had failed to reach agreement Wednesday on a contract to continue delivery of 17 Viacom channels on the satellite television network with 33 million customers nationwide.

On Tuesday, similar talks failed between Time Warner Cable and Hearst Television, which owns KMBC TV in Kansas City.

Sarah Smith, president and general manager of KMBC, said Thursday afternoon that negotiations between Hearst and Time Warner continued but without resolution. KMBC is the area's top-rated station.

The companies that provide programming -- Hearst and Viacom -- and the ones that deliver them to households -- Time Warner and DirecTV -- have been unable to agree on the fees the programmers would receive.