Cable Companies Chafe as Low-Rated Channels Change Names

Cable networks are rebranding themselves, and pay-TV operators aren’t pleased.

At least six channels are changing their names and programming this year to attract more viewers, advertising dollars and higher subscriber fees. News Corp.’s Speed, for instance, will become Fox Sports 1 in August. DirecTV and Time Warner Cable, two of the largest U.S. pay-TV services with 32 million total subscribers, complain they have no control over the changes and are wary the networks will demand more money for unproven shows. The companies agreed to carry specific content, their executives said. Now they’re saddled with programming they didn’t order, and unsure they can pass on future fee increases to customers.