The boss of Bermuda Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is optimistic a deal can still be brokered with CableVision.

Bill Craig, BBC President and CEO, said staff were left "disappointed" at CableVision's decision to drop channels 7 and 9, but are hopeful the situation can be resolved.

Reacting to news of the Telecommunications Commission's successful Supreme Court injunction last night, he said: "We're relieved at the station, but still on guard. It's like once bitten, twice shy.

"They (CableVision) are going to fight the Commission's appeal so this issue isn't over yet, unless CableVision decide to sit down with us.

"But maybe this is an indication that we're finally getting some sanity into these negotiations, and that we can hopefully sit down with these people.

"Hopefully now, CableVision are starting to get a sense of what these local broadcasting channels mean to their customers."

Mr. Craig said BBC is asking for a retransmission fee of $1.50 per channel per subscriber equating to $3 a month for ZBM and ZFB. He said this was "in line" with a similar deal with WOW.

In contrast, he said CableVision pays $4 a month per subscriber for ESPN, its "most popular channel".

"We think $1.50 per channel is more than reasonable, and is in line with our deal with WOW, who haven't pulled all these pranks," said Mr. Craig.

"I remain optimistic we can work things out."