Viacom goes through this with at least one cable operator every 2 or 3 years, with the big scare, the "this channel may end soon if you don't call your cable company" marque (it's on MTV and VH1 Classic right now), etc etc. and yes, there's always a last-second agreement.

admittedly, it's "free market" in action and i'd rather not get in the way, but it's still annoying to have to go through every year.