So who is unfortunate enough to have Time Warner Cable?

bassrique · #1 12-30-2009, 05:05 PM

This will mess up my Sugar Bowl plans, as well as "24", if this goes on long enough.

Fox, Time Warner Cable Unlikely To Reach Deal: News Corp COO

Quote:

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--News Corp. (NWS, NWSA) Chief Operating Officer Chase Carey said in a memo to employees Wednesday that it's unlikely the company will reach an agreement with Time Warner Cable Inc. (TWC) in time to prevent programming disruptions for its customers on New Year's Day.

Fox Broadcasting is asking the cable company for payment of $1 per subscriber per month in return for the use of its signal--a price that would set a new precedent for the broadcast industry as it seeks to turn itself into a more subscription-supported business from one that relies almost exclusively on advertising.

Time Warner Cable, in an attempt to stem the tide of rising programming costs, is negotiating for a much lower price.

"At this time, it looks like we will not reach an agreement and our channels may very well go off the air in Time Warner Cable systems at midnight tomorrow, December 31," said Carey in the memo. "We deeply regret that millions of Fox customers will be deprived of our programming, but we need to receive fair compensation from Time Warner Cable to go forward with them."

Earlier, Time Warner Cable sent a letter to Sen. John Kerry (D., Mass.) offering to participate in binding arbitration before the Federal Communications Commission to settle the dispute or extend its carriage of Fox's programming during negotiations to avoid a service disruption.

"Some may ask why Fox isn't providing an extension while negotiations continue--the fact is that we've been trying since the summer to negotiate a fair deal and that further extensions simply extend the period of time that Time Warner profits from our marquee programming without fairly compensating Fox for it," said Carey.

He noted that Time Warner Cable customers can switch to competitors, like DirecTV (DTV) Dish Network Corp. (DISH) or telecommunications giants like Verizon Inc. (VZ) or AT&T Inc. (T) to continue receiving Fox programming.

As chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet, Sen. Kerry has a history of involvement in disputes over carriage fees between TV networks and operators. He recently sent a letter to both companies suggesting binding arbitration and other measures to prevent a service disruption.

EagleMoon · #2 12-30-2009, 05:13 PM

I got an email from TWC a couple of days ago trying to get me to go vote on this. Personally I rarely watch FOX, so it wouldn't bother me much. But I hate the fact that they think they can control prices by doing this.

BurningSkies · #3 12-30-2009, 05:14 PM

They're both ratbags.

WalterBush · #4 12-30-2009, 05:19 PM

I've been seeing the "vote or cave in" ads, too. They didn't mention that TW wouldn't carry Fox anymore, if they didn't "roll over." Hmmm, wonder if that would affect the voting any, or if TW really gives a rip what I think.

Of course, I don't watch TV except on teh interwebz, anyway, so I don't care. As long as Dora the Explorer and Yo Gabba Gabba keep coming on for the kiddies, I'll keep the cable, with or without Fox.

bassrique · #5 12-30-2009, 05:25 PM

For sick and/or old people that can't go to a bar or a friends house, this is quite sad. My Mom is an example. She loves her Gators and Tim Tebow. She can't get out of the house for any length of time other than to be taken to the PCP/radiologist/oncologist.

I'll have to put most of the blame on Fox, and I'm not one of those FNC haters, though I do find that particular station lacking.

Fox isn't HBO, but now wants to charge like HBO, even though they are an ad-based revenue model. This is unprecedented.

DigMe · #6 12-30-2009, 05:42 PM

I pick up FOX for free over my antenna. I don't have cable of any kind.

bc

Steve · #7 12-30-2009, 05:44 PM

I used to think TWC sucked.
Right up until they sold the local franchise to Comcast and I learned the true meaning of suck.

If it wasn't for the two huge trees on my front lawn obstructing the entire southern horizon I'd be a satellite guy for sure.

NJL · #8 12-30-2009, 06:10 PM

I HATE TWC with a passion!! I turned in my box months ago and they are still charging me for cable!! I have met with three reps and have a couple of chat logs. They are horrible!!

Chunk-O-Funk · #9 12-30-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

They're both ratbags.

This.

I once had Cox Communications as my cable provider and they also had trouble with Fox. Same thing, Fox wants to charge and Cox didn't want to pay. IIRC, it was their HD broadcast of the Super Bowl. Fox gave them right to broadcast the Super bowl and the Super Bowl only. Once the games was over Fox HD went off the air.

Now, Cox has competition (FIOS) and Fox HD is part of their lineup.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DigMe

I pick up FOX for free over my antenna. I don't have cable of any kind.

bc

^You could always do this^

It's free if you have an antenna.

BurningSkies · #10 12-30-2009, 07:14 PM

I do find it funny to watch a company that GOUGES ITS CUSTOMERS MERCILESSLY talk about how its unfair that Fox wants to gouge them.

Up next, National Grid will come to my door begging for loose change.

burk48237 · #11 12-30-2009, 07:30 PM

The real issue is not Fox news. It's that Fox is the number two network in the fall and traditionally # 1 in the Spring with American Idol and 24. Also Fox Sports is the home sports channel for many NBA, NHL, and MLB teams. Also Fox is number one in the key demographics with advertisers (people a lot younger and wealthier then me). It is also the only major broadcast network that is gaining viewers in an age when showtime and HBO are stealing viewers from network TV. In the cable news end Fox has almost 60% of the viewership. In short Fox accounts for about a third of all of the add revenue that broadcast TV obtains (remember cable gets a share of that in local adds). They are in short the healthiest of all of the broadcast networks.

bassrique · #12 12-30-2009, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burk48237

The real issue is not Fox news. It's that Fox is the number two network in the fall and traditionally # 1 in the Spring with American Idol and 24. Also Fox Sports is the home sports channel for many NBA, NHL, and MLB teams. Also Fox is number one in the key demographics with advertisers (people a lot younger and wealthier then me). It is also the only major broadcast network that is gaining viewers in an age when showtime and HBO are stealing viewers from network TV. In the cable news end Fox has almost 60% of the viewership. In short Fox accounts for about a third of all of the add revenue that broadcast TV obtains (remember cable gets a share of that in local adds). They are in short the healthiest of all of the broadcast networks.

Hmmm.....are you or a friend in the business?

Where are these numbers?

If your facts are facts, why would Fox need extra-advertisement revenue? In other words, if Fox has such great ratings, why do they need to start this UNPRECEDENTED war that will hurt many people's feelings and turn them into anti-corporate/anti-Fox progressives? Surely Rupert Murdoch doesn't wish this.

Hmmmmm..... but considering what he's doing in the internet world vis-a-vis Google, I shouldn't be surprised.

Translation: Murdoch has quite had enough of all this free news on the internet, and ~~intimidated~~ worked out a deal with google so their access will be limited from now on.

burk48237 · #13 12-30-2009, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassrique

Hmmm.....are you or a friend in the business?

Where are these numbers?

If your facts are facts, why would Fox need extra-advertisement revenue? In other words, if Fox has such great ratings, why do they need to start this UNPRECEDENTED war that will hurt many people's feelings and turn them into anti-corporate/anti-Fox progressives? Surely Rupert Murdoch doesn't wish this.

Hmmmmm..... but considering what he's doing in the internet world vis-a-vis Google, I shouldn't be surprised.

Translation: Murdoch has quite had enough of all this free news on the internet, and ~~intimidated~~ worked out a deal with google so their access will be limited from now on.

Not in the business, I just looked it up on Nielsen. I have no personal stake in the dispute, I'm on Comcast. While I prefer Fox News I don't watch their opinion shows, I usually catch NPR in the mourning and Bret Baier in the evening.

I suspect that your onto something. Add revenues are down in the industry across the board. Probably Fox's argument is we bring more listeners to your system then the other guys we deserve a bigger cut. As far as public opinion I suspect it will be about 50/50 Time/Warner (like most media conglomerates cable providers) are probably not loved by their customers. Like one other poster said, it's basically two huge conglomerates dukeing it out. I'm sure many will be mad at missing favorite shows like Idol and 24, plus their local sports teams games. Remember Fox has been the most watched network during the spring ratings periods for about the last four years. And I doubt Time warner will be reducing their bill during the time period.

**cheezewiz** · #14 12-30-2009, 11:02 PM

TWC sucks balzac. I'm going to switch to Direct TV if this keeps up. As much as TWC charges, you think they could afford any programming costs.

MichaelScott · #15 12-30-2009, 11:34 PM

My company sells AT&T and Verizon services. Looks like I'm going to make a lot of money next year. :-)

MakiSupaStar · #16 12-30-2009, 11:50 PM

I hate everyone. Good day and Happy New Year.

MichaelScott · #17 12-30-2009, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

I hate everyone. Good day and Happy New Year.

Even your momma? damn. That's just mean.

jazzy grille · #18 12-31-2009, 06:51 AM

Me.

At&t will be here next week to swap it out.

I was getting tired of their channel layout anyway.. It made no figgin sense, it was like they just threw it together.

jazzy grille · #19 12-31-2009, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheezewiz

TWC sucks balzac. I'm going to switch to Direct TV if this keeps up. As much as TWC charges, you think they could afford any programming costs.

Well.

They want to keep making lots of money.... Just like the police.

I am just messin'.

Hoover · #20 12-31-2009, 09:18 AM

I have TWC, and I couldn't give a rat's ass whether or not they carry Fox. The only show on Fox that I would willingly sit through is The Simpsons, and I haven't even been able to catch an episode of that in months. I probably wouldn't have even noticed if Fox went away.