"Time Warner Cable’s recent action is an extension of its desperate campaign to mask its impressive profits and instead malign its program suppliers’ efforts to receive fair compensation. Rather than legal and public relations maneuverings, Time Warner Cable would be better served by acknowledging the tremendous value provided by its content partners," Fox on Time Warner Cable's complaint that Fox had "brazenly hijacked" the retransmission consent process.
The retrans wars are even further along than I thought. Thanks to commenter "Dingo" I visited Time Warner Cable's 's site aimed at whipping its customers into a frenzy: http://rolloverorgettough.com/ where we read:
You Can’t Get a 300% Raise. Why Should a TV Network?
These days, every dollar counts. And for most families, cable TV provides the best entertainment value for the money.
But some of our contracts with program providers are up at the end of this year – and they’ve demanded as much as 300% more for their shows. Even worse, they’re threatening to pull the plug if we don’t pay their price.
In today’s economy, a 300% price increase is excessive. And withholding popular programming is unfair to America’s families – especially over the upcoming holidays.
Don’t let these TV networks hold your TV hostage. Together, we just might make a difference in what America pays for TV.
I get Time Warner Cable. I’ve blogged about TWC’s new Web site, RollOverorGetTough.com. TWC thinks it can rally customers to oppose rate hike for content providers, such as Fox. Hard to root for a monopoly like the cable company though.
Thanks for that link.
Hey, I’m a TWC shareholder, I appreciate those impressive profits!
I’m a Cablevision subscriber – hope they don’t manage to experience mudslinging like this with broadcasters!
either way, it’s the viewers getting screwed. not like we’ll paying less for channels that are infomercials for selling gold
I’m a TWC customer, and I can tell you that they are the evil empire. I’d side with Rupert over them, as hard as that is to stomach.
It’s not about rising fees, by the way, because TWC fees will rise regardless of what happens with the retrans fees. TWC fees rise as fast as they possible can, and nothing is going to stop that. If Rupert loses, TWC will raise fees and pocket the money. If Rupert wins, then TWC will raise the fees and pocket the money.
Either way, TWC raises fees, lowers service, spits in your face, kicks your grandma in the tits, and then pockets the money.
By the way, where did that funky little bat next to my name come from? Is that something new here?
We are talking about tens of cents per subscriber. TWC doesn’t seem to mention that while rallying their customers.
@Schmoker,
Robert got tired of the gray mystery man and put in MonsterID. The picture is assigned based on your IP address.
Thanks, Holly. I was starting to wonder if I had crossed over to the dark side without my knowledge.
Nice job, Robert.
You’re right, Time-Warner. It was 400%.
I love the rhetoric in these seemingly never ending battles between cable companies and TV broadcasters. “Even worse, they’re threatening to pull the plug if we don’t pay their price.” No kidding! So I assume that if my cable bill goes up and I don’t “pay their price,” they wouldn’t “pull the plug?” Great stuff.