ALTAMONTE SPRINGS - Florida's News Channel claims it's being held hostage by local cable television station WNTO-Channel 26.

The 24-hour news channel says WNTO agreed to begin airing its programming by October, but the TV station has unfairly tried to renegotiate "a better deal for itself" and delayed the broadcasts.

In a breach-of-contract lawsuit filed in Seminole County Circuit Court, Florida's News Channel seeks unspecified monetary damages, attorney's fees and other costs from WNTO's owner, Florida Media Broadcasters Inc.

Officials with Florida's News Channel, based in Tallahassee, say Orlando is a crucial market for the fledgling network ... and WNTO is the news channel's only local broadcast option at the moment.

"Accordingly, (Florida's News Channel) will suffer irreparable harm based upon its inability to broadcast the service throughout Central Florida," the lawsuit. states.

Florida's News Channel recently began broadcasting its cable newscasts in several Florida markets, including West Palm...