Long-simmering tensions within the television industry over how TV channels are packaged and priced boiled over on Tuesday, when Cablevision Systems Corp. sued MTV's owner Viacom Inc., alleging antitrust violations.

Cablevision, a pay-TV distributor with a high profile in the New York area, alleged Viacom forced it to carry and pay for more than a dozen "lesser-watched" channels such as "Palladia, MTV Hits and VH1 Classic" for the right to carry its popular networks such as Nickelodeon, MTV and Comedy Central.

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