Viacom may pull MTV off Time Warner Cable
Shows go if new carriage deal not signed by midnight.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
LOS ANGELES — "SpongeBob SquarePants" may be getting squeezed off Time Warner Cable in states including Ohio.
Media giant Viacom Inc. said its Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central and 16 other channels will go dark on Time Warner Cable Inc. at 12:01 a.m. Thursday if a new carriage fee deal is not agreed upon by then.
The impasse over carriage fee hikes would mean "SpongeBob" and other popular shows like Jon Stewart's "The Daily Show" and Stephen Colbert's "The Colbert Report" will be cut off to 13 million subscribers, said spokesman Alex Dudley, a vice president at Time Warner Cable. The nation's second-largest cable operator primarily serves customers in New York state, the Carolinas, Ohio, Southern California and Texas.
Viacom has asked for fee increases of between 22 percent and 36 percent per channel, an amount that could increase customers' cable bills, Dudley said. Viacom spokeswoman Kelly McAndrew said the requested increase was in the very low double-digit percentage range.
"The issue is that they have asked for an exorbitant increase in their carriage fees and their network ratings are sagging," he said. "Basically we're trying to hold the line for our customer."
Viacom said the increases would cost an extra 23 cents a month per subscriber — which works out to $35.9 million more in total. It said that Americans spend a fifth of their TV time watching Viacom shows but its fees make up less than 2.5 percent of the Time Warner cable bill.
"We make this request because Time Warner Cable has so greatly undervalued our channels for so long," it said.
"Ultimately, however, if Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV and the rest of our programming is discontinued — over less than a penny per day — we believe viewers will see this behavior by their cable company as outrageous," it said.
Tense negotiations are continuing at the highest level, Dudley said.
Viacom accused Time Warner Cable of not negotiating.
"It is our sincere hope that they will come to the table and negotiate a deal," said McAndrew. The network operator also intends to tell viewers about the dispute in TV ads in 11 major markets.
Part of the disagreement is that most of the popular shows are rerun on Web sites where Viacom collects advertising revenue that it does not share with Time Warner, Dudley said.
"We don't think that's fair," he said. "They're trying to have their cake and eat it too online, where anybody can get it for free."
Viacom has staked much of its revenue-growth prospects on its ability to extract higher carriage rates out of its cable and satellite affiliates despite an ad slowdown and weak ratings.
In the third quarter, media network revenue, which accounts for about two-thirds of the total, grew 6 percent to $2.1 billion, despite global ad revenue falling 2 percent, largely because of double-digit percentage growth in affiliate fees and the success of its "Rock Band" video game.
Viacom shares rose 69 cents, or 3.7 percent, to close at $19.26 on Tuesday, while Time Warner Cable shares added $1.56, or 7.7 percent, to $21.76.
The channels that would be affected are: Comedy Central, CMT: Pure Country, Logo, Palladia, MTV, MTV 2, MTV Hits, MTV Jams, MTV Tr3s, Nickelodeon, Noggin, Nick 2, Nicktoons, Spike, The N, TV Land, VH1, VH1 Classic, and VH1 Soul.
Pop-up alerts on "The Colbert Report" and "The Daily Show" Web sites Wednesday morning informed fans that Time Warner Cable customers will lose Comedy Central shows soon and urged them to call the cable company and protest the change.
Comments
By Escort agencies
December 28, 2009 6:41 AM | Link to this
It was very interesting for me to read the post. Thanx for it. I like such themes and everything connected to them. I definitely want to read more on that blog soon.
By jonas
January 1, 2009 5:15 PM | Link to this
WELL, NONE OF YOU WILL LOSE VIACOMS CHANNELS. THEY REACHED AN AGREEMENT.
By relieved
January 1, 2009 11:18 AM | Link to this
WOW, If you haven’t heard by now Time Warner and Viacom reached an agreement shortly after midnight. FYI-I am NOT an employee of Time Warner just a loyal customer of Time Warner.
By nick
January 1, 2009 10:33 AM | Link to this
beep beep dot com
By Dennis Kelly
January 1, 2009 10:13 AM | Link to this
Folks - I run my TVs (without sound - put on some nice classical CDs instead) on the CNBC stock ticker all day and we watch some Fox News at night - that’s about it. I prefer to listen to talk radio for information. Watching nice looking folks misread teleprompters drives me crazy! Now we can watch the Bengals and Browns lose on a big screen with HD format - makes it that much worse! If you want to calm yourself down, watch Sunrise Earth or go take a nice walk and get some needed fresh air.
By WOW
January 1, 2009 10:06 AM | Link to this
I am kinda shocked at how everyone is responding! It’s funny that perfect strangers are calling each other names and fighting like children over an article about cable. Happy New Year! I wish they would take MTV off the air anyway, there are no music videos just vulgar shows like twin lesbians trying to hook up with men and women. Thank God for parental controls! This country is going to hell in a handbasket and it sounds like this town is so busy bickering over change it doesn’t even care.
By ohiowoman
January 1, 2009 9:31 AM | Link to this
ohiowoman has a short memory, I am NOT an idiot, nor a moron, or a dumbass. My eyes are wide open. FYI-If you haven’t heard by now Viacom and Time Warner reached an agreement shortly after midnight this morning. So take a good look at yourself before you insult me.
By Chuck
January 1, 2009 9:29 AM | Link to this
If these channels were not there I would be missing often repeated re-runs that I don’t much like anyway. ” A vast wasteland ” doesn’t do justice anymore, for TV, or the paper media.
By Oldtimer
January 1, 2009 8:44 AM | Link to this
I never watch any of the Viacom channels except for an occasional sitcom on TV Land. Ditto network TV. I mainly watch the 1930s and 1940s movies on TCM. The rest of TV has so many commercials interrupting the shows that I lose interest. I frankly have been thinking of pulling the switch on cable and watching videos instead. Over the years I have amassed more than 2,000 videos of old movies and TV series. I find them far more entertaining than present day TV.
By Oldtimer
January 1, 2009 8:41 AM | Link to this
I never watch any of the Viacom channels except for an occasional sitcom on TV Land. Ditto network TV. I mainly watch the 1930s and 1940s on TCM. The rest of TV has so many commercials interrupting the shows that I lose interest. I frankly have been thinking of pulling the switch on cable and watching videos instead. Over the years I have amassed more than 2,000 videos of old movies and TV series. I find them far more entertaining than present day TV.
By Phil
January 1, 2009 8:01 AM | Link to this
They will probably put on more shopping&religous channels,just what we do not need!!!
By John Brown
January 1, 2009 7:42 AM | Link to this
I just switched from AT&T phone service to TW because it was cheaper. Two days later the TW phone starts acting up. I call TW and they say they can be out in 4 days. I said that means I have no phone service for 4 days? Yep! I guess you get what you pay for. The AT&T folks are coming back out tomorrow to switch me back to their phone service.
By He is a RETARDS and MORONS
January 1, 2009 12:16 AM | Link to this
Oh yea, Time Warner is doing battle for all of us. That’s the reason costs have gone up so much over the past 10 years. While most communications costs have dropped cable has risen at a rate even the FCC says is out of control, but your heroes at TW are doing us all a big favor by raising our rates and removing services from us. Oh thanks TW, thanks for being there for us. Do us a favor and stop it. TW employees ought to start looking for new jobs.
By Ohiocatlover has a short memory
January 1, 2009 12:11 AM | Link to this
“I repeat myself people stop complaining about Time Warner and Viacom” These are your words moron. you are pompous enough to tell us to stop complaining and then say what you just wrote? You are an idiot, I can certainly pass judgement on that. Open your eyes dumbass
By bill
December 31, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
Time Warner had trouble with the Big Ten, Channel 2, and now Viacom. Notice a trend? Somebody doesnt know how to negotiate, and its not Direct TV or Dish Network. Its Time Warner Cable. What a shame.
By Saratoga
December 31, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this
Never needed cable/satellite tv - rabbit ears and public TV are all we really need.
By ohiowoman
December 31, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this
ohiocatlover drank the TW koolaid, I am just voicing my opinion about Time Warner and don’t tell me what to do because Viacom is trying to get us to fight against each other. You don’t even know me so you can’t pass judgement on me. Time Warner’s dispute with Viacom affects the people in New York, the Carolinas, and in many other states not just Ohio.
snowman,I don’t work for the big old guys and my internet is not free I have to pay my internet just like the rest of us.
By You all are RETARDS and MORONS (no offense to retards)
December 31, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this
Jeezus people! Do you even READ these articles before commenting on them? Viacom is asking for over $40 million dollars MORE when their ratings are going DOWN! TWC recognizes that and doesn’t want them or the customers to be swindled. Please read something and know what you’re talking about before making an opinion.
By Hey Snowman
December 31, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this
Snowman, you should get around more. Write your message in an email or notepad program, do your spell check, write it as long as you like and then copy and past it over to the box at DDN. It’s no conspiracy, I do it all the time and I hate DDN and TWC! :)
By janet
December 31, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
my grandson, says think about the children, instead of the money…. and he is seven years old .thank you
By SnowMan
December 31, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
Hey “CatLover”How’s you can write a post that has about 300 words in it and I can’t get about 50 or so..Oh that right, you work? for the BIG OLE BAD GUYS OR DO YOU JUST PAY MORE FOR YOU INTERNET??if you could just help in this matter…The SnowMan, BOY I DO MISS THEM OLE RABBIT EARS”Had to use Coat Hander till’s I had evenuff money to by that real nice pair of REMODE ONE’S DIDN’T HAVE TO GET UP NO MORE,Now I still won’t have to get up, won’t have no Cable HeHee,Thank You, The No TV SnowMan…..
By SnowManTV
December 31, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
All together, OOOOOOOH, Say can you seeee, Dear UUUUNCLE Sam, Please pay my Cable FEE’S for Meeeee! Just be cool an wait about 20 days or so and Mr.O’Bamatv will help us all.If you want to call someone about your cable bill???That be Mr.BillHillary,he sign the bill into law,after all of The Big Cable Companys lobbied to stop the free Tv. air waves.No More Free Tv. watchen.We’ll all pay now..An all thoses poor cable worker’s out of a job.POO-HOW,they get their’s Package (FREE)The SnowMan……..
By Gary
December 31, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
Hey Viacom - Take your shows and shove them. I don’t need your crap!
By TF
December 31, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
I think everybody in dayton should drop Time Warner with there low payed contractors less than lack luster tecs. and poor customer service. Going to buy my 40.00 digital box and enjoy my free programing over the air the money Iam going to save going to take a vacation Happy New Year time to take out the trash Dayton!
By JD
December 31, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
How am I not surprised? Time Warner is awful. My family has been very happy with ATT Uverse. We got rid of TW after the ridiculous Navigator software switch, and slightly before WDTN being pulled. It was nice having NBC, and will be nice having the Viacom owned stations. I suggest switching like I did, even if you won’t miss the channels. I guarentee you will like ATT better, or any other provider besides TW.
By Ty Tyson
December 31, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this
Its just like the price lock they promised. Then our rates go up. They sold us on these channels then they change it. Time warner for once stand behind what your selling.
Ty Tyson
By tc
December 31, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
to continue…My husband and I always ask about contracts before we agree to anything. We were lied too. I have already contacted a Lawyer friend of mine and I was advised that TWC has to give me proof of the contract or they have no leg to stand on. From what I found out today is that they have already put this on my credit report which really makes very angry. I will fight this. TWC can’t keep doing this to people. I will win!!! BELIEVE THAT!
By BIff
December 31, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
Sounds familiar, sort of like the Big Ten Network wanted to join TWC.Guess I’ll have to go to DISH or Direct TV to get what I want anyway. I sure am glad I didn’t take that bundle package I was going to sign up for last week! I don’t mind my kids watching a few shows after they study hard. They could be writing on message boards all day with no regard for proper English offering mindless opinions (oops, I’m here too aren’t I?)
By tc
December 31, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
I have had TWC, DirecTV, Dish Network, and now AT&T U-Verse. Out of all of these, I can say that AT&T U-Verse is the best. I dropped TWC about 3 months after switching to AT&T U-Verse, and they are trying to tell me that I have to pay a cancellation fee. When I signed up for TWC I specifically asked if I would be in a contract, and I was told “NO”, my husband and my daughter were there with me when I was talking with a representative from TWC. I was just told the price was guaranteed.
By oldertipp
December 31, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
had enough i will drop them and go to a dish. so happy new year to all
By To someone
December 31, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
Hey Someone, TWC is the enemy, they’ve been raising their rates at record levels and providing an ever decreasing level of service. It’s like paying full price for a gallon of gas but incrementally over time instead of a gallon you receive 7/8 gallon, then 5/8 gallon. They’re charging for the gallon, but giving you less than that. And when you only need regular unleaded they make you pump premium, even if your car doesn’t need it. They’ve gouged themselves into this corner.
By Liz
December 31, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
This entire thing is rediculous! I can not believe they are pulling every single channel we watch in our household. What are they going to give us this time? The family channel again like they did in place of NBC. I have tried calling the entire day, and I not ONCE got thru to a single person at TWC. I agreed to a 2 year agreement and if I do not get my channels, I intend to cancel and NOT pay that contract breech fee. What else is there around here? We need a new cable provider!!!
By someone
December 31, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this
Ok, heres what I say, TW is not the enemy. Viacom is. They are trying to make TW pay more by threatining to pull all mtv networks from are lineup. If TW agreed to this deal, it would make all oif us pay at least thirty dollars more than what we have to pay now. Burt if you have TW, you do realize you have thousands of other channels , right? And maybe if you have a favorite channel that they are threatining to take down, GUESS WHAT? THEY HAVE WEBSITES! And they have shows on those websites!
By JanetL
December 31, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this
First, no local NBC, then my rates for basic cable go up 13% (because I am - god forbid - only a BASIC cable subscriber, one of the 40% who the TWC spokeswoman claimed in October will have the highest increase - because I don’t pay the big bucks for permium channels and DVR apparently), and now this. TWC can suck it. I’m calling DirectTV.
By sparkey
December 31, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
If I had cable and lost those chanels, I would want a discount on my cable bill. I have satellite, but I would tell Directv the same thing. If they didn’t lower the price, I would drop them and just watch network over the air for free. I would also write to the advertisers of those shows and tell them why I wouldn’t be buying any of their products.
By Maria
December 31, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this
If this happens I will drop Time Warner. I get the package I get because I have three kids anf they watch all those channels, especially noggin. I pay 120.00 a month. I am sure Direct TV will welcome me with open arms.
By Chuck
December 31, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this
Do what we did, drop cable, take the money take your spouse kids whoever and spend some family time with them. Make out with your wife, play ball with the kids, do something worthwhile life is too short to spend it in front of a TV set, watch the news on local channels it’s still free
By jack shannon
December 31, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this
It’s real easy quit your whining,TW is not the only monster in this, so why just place all of the blame on them. If you want more choice instead of complaining on a message board get new service,or complain to the other companies that did’nt think enough of you to even service your area. It’s not a problem use your voice elsewhere and maybe you will see improvement. TW employs alot of people in this area and all of that jumping ship instead of creating change will cause an undesirable effect.
By Mike
December 31, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
One word - GREED. Hey folks - it is the American way these days. Add this to the ever growing list of things that screw the average American. Do you honestly believe either media giant has any care whatsoever about the average consumer….um no.
By mylivleyhood
December 31, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
con’t from “above”. But if you look at the people around you, who in this economy, can’t afford to loose their jobs and work HARD to keep them, they are your neighbors, family and friends. I am not just talking about TWC here. None of the companies are safe. I don’t want to loose my Spike either, but things have a way of working themselves out. Like the power outage/wing storm, they taught us things about ourselves we didn’t know. Give it a few days…then get the pitchforks! haha
By jkj
December 31, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
I called TWC and told the customer non-service person that if any channels were dropped that that would be a void on their part of my 2-yr contract with them and I would then be free to cancel without paying the ridiculous fee. He said no. He then tried to read me the speech about how they are in negogiations with Viacom and I stopped him cold and said I’ve heard it and read that speech already and he needed to think for himself. I told him it’s a void of contract and I would be cancelling.
By mylivleyhood
December 31, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
Yea, here is an idea, why doesn’t everyone cancel their cable so that all the TWC employees in the area will loose their jobs! This making the fragile Dayton economy-which just lost a bunch of GM workers-even worse. So that everyone else jobs that require people to come and spend money, will loose that much more. So then we can all go down together! We can look at any large, nation-wide company and get hostile about how things are run at the top. continued below
By Enuff Z Nuff
December 31, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
how awful. Time Warner is always the victim. They have no problem raising our prices but don’t want to pay .25 per customer. Sure its a lot of money, but so is the $10.00 it went up last month, and we didn’t get anything more. The customer service is horrid. I called to complain, went through the whole 9 yards and got disconnected…twice. I WANT MY COMEDY CENTRAL.
By Ally
December 31, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
The channels I don’t watch! haha. I hope Uverse will be here soon.
By Ohiocatlover drank the TW koolaid
December 31, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
cat lover, I have an agreement for a specific schedule with specific channels to be provided to me for an exorbidant amount of money. TWC agreed to provide me with those channnels and if they do not, even if it is because of events out of their control, they’ve violated my contract with them. I will speak long and loud about TWC’s greediness and their ever increasing fee schedule with their ever decreasing customer service. How dare you tell us to stop talking about them?
By Ally
December 31, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
wow… the channels i don’t watch. i still hope Uverse will be here soon.
By Jason
December 31, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
This stuff happens from time to time, they will hammer out an agreement. We may go a few days without these channels but then they will be back. I had Dish Network a few years ago when the same thing happened between Viacom and Dish Network. They took the channels off for a few days, then an agreement was reached and it was taken care of. Be patient people, this is just the nature of the television business.
By ohiocatlover
December 31, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
profound, I don’t work for Time Warner Cable I am just a loyal customer of cable companies since moving to the Dayton area in 1977 with my parents. If you don’t believe me you can go to www.twdayton.com and click on MTV networks and get all the facts about Time Warner Cable and Viacom. You can also call the corporate headquarters of Time Warner Cable in Connecticut and speak to someone in the office of the president.
I repeat myself people stop complaining about Time Warner and Viacom
By ohiocatlover
December 31, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
profound, I don’t work for Time Warner Cable I am just a loyal customer of cable companies since moving to the Dayton area in 1977 with my parents. If you don’t believe me you can go to www.twdayton.com and click on MTV networks and get all the facts about Time Warner Cable and Viacom. You can also call the corporate headquarters of Time Warner Cable in Connecticut and speak to someone in the office of the president.
I repeat myself people stop complaining about the Time Warner and Viacom.
By P. OFF
December 31, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
If TWC can’t give me the comedy channel what good are they. I pay alot of money to be able to watch what I want. If TWC won’t give me what I want then they are of no use to me and I will dump them!TWC makes enough money to give us what we want! Do it or we don’t need you!
By MichelleX4
December 31, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
If these get cancled then we will be dropping cable for a few weeks and going with someone else. Not because, TV is my life like some have said but, because I am not going to pay the prices I pay for cable and not have what we want!!
By TWC can take a hike
December 31, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
NEWSMAKER INTERVIEW:
The nation’s top media regulator says he doesn’t have the power to solve the “single biggest problem” facing media consumers and isn’t counting on Congress to act any time soon.
But Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin J. Martin said the inability of cable subscribers to choose among channels is keeping prices high and is a sign that the market isn’t working.
“Today, consumers pay double what they paid less than a decade ago and they have fewer choices, not more, and they have to buy a bigger and bigger bundle of services if they want to get anything,” Mr. Martin told editors and reporters at The Washington Times on Tuesday. “If you want to buy the Discovery Channel for your children, you have to buy a package that includes a whole bunch of channels that you don’t want.”
J.M. EDDINS JR./THE WASHINGTON TIMES POWERLESS: Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin J. Martin says higher prices for fewer choices in the cable TV industry are signs that the market is broken.
Mr. Martin said the prices of other communications services - such as wireless access or international calling - have fallen in the past decade, but cable is an exception. In that time, cable channels have doubled, but the average number of channels that subscribers watch has increased only from 13 to 15, he said, pointing to Nielsen Media Research statistics.
By Mother of 3
December 31, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
With all of those kid channels being taken off I guess it’s time to get rid of Time Warner. It’s bad enough NOTHING is ever on TV but to lose the channels that are entertaining……………
By You people are sheep
December 31, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
As users increased cell phone costs have dropped even though the infrastructure costs to transmit the signals have been increases and the associated costs for that have gone up. The same should have happened with TWC, as their viewers increased their costs should have dropped. Instead they have risen at a rate unseen by other businesses except maybe health care. They do not have the infrastructure expenses the startup companies do. They have however had a steady loss of subscribers to the new systems of transmission. Look at the way costs for cell have dropped even though the services provided have increased. The same hasn’t happened with the greedy cable providers. The people providing the content’s costs have gone up and they have to transfer those costs to the cable companies, but twc who’s fixed costs haven’t gone up are too greedy to cut loose the money. I am on line right now, not using the cable company’s way overpriced internet service looking for a replacement for the crooks at TWC.
By HHRes
December 31, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
So sick of tired of the bull crap about satellite going out in a storm or when it snows. I have had Direct TV for about 2-3 years and only has gone out a couple of times (about the same amount of time cable went out). The big difference is customer service and cost. I get alot more channels (including premium channels and HD channels) for less money than TW charges. Another thing is the customer svc is 110% better than TW.
By N Alexander
December 31, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
The popups state that the shows online will be lost as well. Could be a lie, but I have heard of site that block video from being seen in certain countries, would Viacom actually block their websites from TW households? Net neutrality has nothing to do with the matter, but Viacom sounds like they are playing hardball.
(Did anyone here ever have Viacom for cable years ago? I thought they used to service Dayton)
By N Alexander
December 31, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
Also look at it like this: TW won’t carry Cinemax HD. Problems negotiating with Cinemax’s Parent company? That would be HBO, a division of … TW? Why do we think TW can negotiate with getting us other companies channels when they won’t even give us their own channels?
Seriously. Call them and ask about Cinemax HD. Look at Cinemax.com. Owned by HBO. Look at HBO.com Goto to the Info/Faq button, and the page that opens has a link for Time Warner, their parent company.
By Profound
December 31, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
Hmmm…methinks ohiocatlover works for TWC…
By hood-man
December 31, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this
When I was a kid, we had antenna service with 4 or 5 channels to chose from. Cable tv is NOT a right. It is NOT a necessity. If you don’t have cable your eyes won’t fall out. Cable tv is an entertainment expense just like the movie theater. If cable tv is employed as your kids babysitter, then you have more problems than worrying about what channels you have or don’t have.
By APRIL
December 31, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
TWC ISNT DROPPING THOSE CHANNELS VIACOM IS DROPPING TWC AS A CARRIER IF THEY DONT MEET THOSE EXCESSIVE DEMANDS … THEY WILL DO THE SAME WITH DIRECT TV U-VERSE AND DISH WHEN THEIR CONTRACTS COME UP FOR NEGOTIATION… EVERYONE WANTS SOMETHING FOR FREE.. BUT DOSENT REALIZE THAT A BUSINESS IS A BUSINESS AND EVERYONE IS OUT FOR THE MONEY … THATS WHAT BUSINESS’ DO EVERYONE SAYS OH THEY ARE BEING GREEDY WAKE UP AND SMELL WALL STREET EVERYONE IS OUT TO MAKE A BUCK NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO..
By ohiocatlover
December 31, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
This is on Time Warner’s website
Statement from Glenn Britt, President & CEO, Time Warner Cable
Re: Viacom’s threats to pull MTV Networks from Time Warner Cable customers, December 31, 2008
Christmas is over, but Viacom is still playing Scrooge, threatening to pull its MTV Networks off of Time Warner Cable at midnight tonight unless we ask our customers to pay exorbitant price increases.
Viacom claims their demands equate to “pennies,” but that is misleading and insulting to our customers, from whom Viacom is trying to extort another $39 million annually – on top of the hundreds of millions of dollars our customers already pay to Viacom each year. That doesn’t sound like pennies to us. Demanding that our customers pay so much more for these few networks would be unreasonable in any economy, but it is particularly outrageous given the current economic conditions.
We sympathize with the fact that Viacom’s advertising business is suffering and that their networks’ ratings have largely been declining. However, we can’t abide their attempt to make up their lost revenue on the backs of Time Warner Cable customers. We’ve negotiated in good faith and made several concessions to help reach a fair and reasonable deal. We’ve asked for an extension of the current contract while we continue to negotiate. But Viacom doesn’t appear to be interested in what’s fair and reasonable for American consumers – they’re only interested in propping up their sagging bottom line, and they are poised to pull their networks from Time Warner Cable customers tonight.
Huge price increases like what Viacom is demanding threaten the ultimate value of cable TV. Time Warner Cable is a retail distributor of products we purchase wholesale. Wholesale programming costs are rising dramatically every year, and, like all multichannel distributors, we have to pass on at least a portion of the increases to our customers. Viacom’s MTV Networks are just a few of the hundreds of channels we carry. If every channel demanded huge, double-digit increases like what Viacom is trying to force our customers to pay, it would be impossible to keep the price of cable reasonable for our customers.
Time Warner Cable has reached hundreds of distribution agreements with other networks. In fact, we currently have deals with every other cable programmer. The negotiations aren’t always easy, but we work hard to reach agreements that are fair to our customers and to both businesses.
We hope Viacom won’t pull the MTV Networks from Time Warner Cable customers, and we’ll negotiate up to the last possible minute and beyond. But ultimately, it is Viacom’s decision. We implore them to join with us to reach a fair resolution or grant an extension, and we hope they won’t carry through with their threat to take their networks away from our customers tonight
By Kristen
December 31, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
All I know is, if they drop these channels…i’m dropping them. That’s for damn sure!
By John thinks TWC sucks out loud
December 31, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
From 2002. Time Warner has been at it for years and years and years. Sticking it to the consumers each time. I can’t believe some of you sheeple bending over and grabbing your ankles once again while TWC gives it to you again. Look at the rates of increase indicated below. These companies are screwing us, over charging for what they are providing and underperforming. Just look at the stupid way they have their channels lined up. Channel 2 on channel 9, want high def, go to channel 2.1. Go to channel 2 and it’s the shopping channel. What moron is setting that up?
Time Warner Cable will increase rates 7 percent for customers in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Charlotte, N.C. next year. Time Warner is expected to raise rates nationwide by an average of 6 percent in 2003.
· Cox Communications raised prices 7 percent this month for Baton Rouge, La., customers with basic expanded service.
The holiday round of cable rate hikes is part of a troubling trend that dates back to 1996 when Congress passed the Telecommunications Act to initiate deregulation of cable companies. Supporters of the law said that cable deregulation would benefit consumers by delivering lower prices and greater competition from market entrants challenging cable providers. But in the six years since the law was passed, cable rates nationwide have skyrocketed 45 percent, and 95 percent of American households still have only one cable company in their communities.
When a cable company raises prices, it often blames the costs of upgrading networks and paying for programming such as sports channels. But industry data show that the costs of upgrades and programming are more than covered by the increase in cable revenues from advertising, pay-per-view services, and cable modem services.
Another popular argument by cable companies is that, while rates have gone up, the price per channel has dropped. However, that argument raises the question of how many cable companies actually let consumers purchase only the cable channels they want on a per-channel basis. The answer is none.
Some cable companies dismiss complaints about the lack of competition by pointing to satellite television. But satellite has yet to pose a serious competitive threat to cable. Satellite companies are unable to provide local TV channels in many areas due to technical limits, and satellite tends to be more expensive than cable, especially when installation and equipment costs are included.
The proposed merger of satellite companies EchoStar and DirecTV understandably raised antitrust and competitive concerns, but under modifications proposed by the companies, the merger would have allowed them to offer local channels nationwide and present a real challenge to cable giants. Rather than work with the companies to restructure the deal, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) simply rejected the merger. The FCC has also refused to grant licenses to companies seeking to compete with cable TV service, such as Broadwave USA and its Northpoint technology.
Clearly, cable deregulation is not benefiting consumers as promised. Congress deregulated cable monopolies before competitors entered the marketplace and demonstrated an ability to compete. Lawmakers routinely hear complaints from constituents about cable prices and less-than-stellar service, but they have failed to take steps to correct the problems. Meanwhile, the FCC is apparently unwilling to lift a finger to help consumers harmed by cable’s monopolistic practices.
Congress and the FCC need to go back to the drawing board and fix the Telecommunications Act in order to promote competition so that consumers can see the increased choices and lower prices that they were promised six years ago.
By ohiocatlover1
December 31, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
My family and myself have had cable service since moving here in 1977 and we have had great service. I spoke to someone in Time Warner’s office of the president today and she informed me that Time Warner is in negoitations with Viacom. Viacom is trying to get us consumers against each other and Time Warner. I have had great service with Time Warner and they have a customer for life. People move on with your lives and let Time Warner and Viacom work their problems out themselves.
By ~NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!~
December 31, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
Just because some of you could care less about certain channels being taken away from us, doesn’t mean that a lot of people aren’t really pissed off right now. I like my CSI reruns on SPIKE, Comedy Central is great as well as old shows with morals such as The Cosby Show, that are shown on TV Land and Nick. If you people don’t like a tv station then don’t watch it, but don’t make a statement that you could care less cuz I’m sure you would if they were taking away your favorite channels.
By Joe12pack
December 31, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
Time Warner cable could use a lot of improvement, however their service is 1000 times better than satellite. I switched to Directtv not too long ago, I had my picture go out multiple times and it always went out when it snowed. The last time I called , they told me it will take 3 weeks to get someone out there to fix the problem. The Tech support person told me if I want it done sooner, I could always use my ladder and go up my roof to scrape the ice off the dish.
By scott
December 31, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
This whole thing with TWC will pass just the way the thing with WDTN did. It wont be more than a month and it will all be back probably all in HD, the way they did with WDTN. Its just crazy the way they conduct business always waiting till the last minute or a month past to settle disputes giving dish and direct TV good bashing opportunities. The main thing is my kids are going to miss nick. Even if it doesn’t work out they still have the fastest internet around. Just don’t loose that please
By hjon
December 31, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
Ask your congressman and senator and even the President-Elect Obama to pass a bill to regulate the cable industry. You can probably blame republicans for passing de-regulation of the media(how many tv and radio stations an owner can own). Just like credit card companies and other businesses that try to take advantage of the consumer at any cost. Ask Congress to pass a cable regulation bill to protect the consumer.
By ashleigh
December 31, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
TWC keeps increasing their rates and if it isn’t to pay the tv networks what is is for??? All of this arguing is over 23 cents per household. TWC is being the greedy one. Plus their service is terrible. I’m looking into AT&T Uverse.
By Herb
December 31, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
GO AHEAD AND DROP THEM … THEN REDUCE MY BILL … IT WENT UP $10 THIS MONTH AND NOW THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT 35CENTS RENT FOR THE CONTROLLER … TIME TO CHANGE
By Kittie
December 31, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
WTF?!! They’re encouraging people to fight the loss of these channels, and then they’re going to charge these people MORE MONEY for fighting to keep them?
How greedy! With the economy in as much trouble as it is, anyone with a soul in those exec’s positions should be like “People need their money right now, let’s let them keep it”. Granted, It’s not a huge increase, but it’s the principle of kicking your patrons while they’re down that pisses me off.
By F*$K RATE HIKERS
December 31, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
Time Warner has always provided great service. Greedy companies like Viacom are always asking for more and more. I appreciate TW fighting to keep our rates where they are especially considering the current economic situation.
By jonas
December 31, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this
All of the channels are in the article above. DUH
By Larry
December 31, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
I’m sick of Time-Warner! This takes the cake… I’m switching to AT&T U-verse. Better than TW, we finally have a choice and I’m moving on.
By mr. i dont give a pluck!
December 31, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
my kids love noggin,and nicktoons.i say keep the channels.so what if i have to pay a lil more.i want my channels!!
By Lori
December 31, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Per my conversation with Time Warner -
They are NOT letting people out of the contract because “Channel Lineup” isn’t part of the contract.
They are NOT reducing rates because of lost channels.
IF we get to keep these channels they are NOT providing credits for the time you went without the channel.
They did however assure me that the contract with Viacom was going to go through and we wouldn’t be losing these channels forever.
By Kevin
December 31, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
It is not the channels that wil be lost that concerns me. The fact is just back in October/November Time Warner went through the same thing with WDTN. How many more Channels will they loose within the next year. Soon it will only be the premium channels left. Dish network is looking better all the “TIME”. As far as MTV that is trash anyway I would miss Spike and Comedy Centeral, however it wouldn’t change my life either. it is on T.V.
By painfultruth
December 31, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
Do you cable TV haters have any life outside of the tube? Wait! Bush will be gone January 20, so now you have to find something or someone NEW to hate. Must be difficult waking up and looking in the mirror every day to see the thing you hate most! Geez, cable TV is a BUSINESS. Don’t like it? Then drop it. Your life will go on. I PROMISE!!!
By Candace
December 31, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
I suppose Viacomm’s lawsuit with youtube fell through now they feel the need to grub money elsewhere! What jerks!
By APRIL
December 31, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
JKJ WITH A PRICE LOCK ITS NOT A WAY OUT OF THE CONTRACT THEY ARE CONTRACED TO PROVIDE SERVICE AS TO WHAT CHANNELS ARE PROVEDED THAT ISNT COVERED IN THE PLG… YOU OPT OUT YOU GET AN EARLY TERM FEE
By Allison
December 31, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
Everyone, try to go without cable for a while. You’ll soon realize how beautiful the world around you is.
My husband and I have never had cable. I don’t feel like less of a person because I can’t watch the latest reality show on MTV or the latest comedy sketch on Comedy Central. Simple solutions: local weather on digital channels 7-2 and 5-2; support a local restaurant on game day; go check out your local library for books; hulu.com for all your old shows from TVLand.
By Billie
December 31, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
Humans are resistant to change by nature. Most people would be much happier if they switched from TWC. But, they’re afraid to take that first step. It’s the same reason why most people don’t quit their jobs and start their own business. They’re afraid to take the risk of change.
By Leigh
December 31, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
Speaking of rhetoric, the cable company loves to tell people that go to a dish that they will have no tv during bad weather, when it rains or snows or is too cloudy. What a crock!! It just isn’t true. Fear mongering is what keeps you trapped as a TW customer.
By Mimi
December 31, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
Don’t care. I canceled cable and found out I never really needed it. I got my monthly bills under $500, by cutting all those extras. That ain’t bad for a three bedroom house in Washington Twp.
By Lou
December 31, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
We like to watch The Weather Channel, Spike TV, TVLand, & Nickelodeon so it would SUCK if TWC doesn’t work out some type of deal to keep these channels!! MTV & a few other channels could fall off the face of the earth & I would never notice!! Please TWC work out a deal that you don’t have to pass onto the customer—you’ve raised the rates too high as it is!! I think I’ll just switch to DirectTV or Dish Network!! It’s cheaper anyway!!
By Robert
December 31, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
I left TW when they refused to carry the NFL Network and I’ve never been as happy with a service provider as I am with DirecTV. Seriously, anyone with TW should make the switch whether you watch these channels or not. DirecTV is cheaper, the picture is better and their customer service reps are actually competent, which is way more than you can say about TW. And don’t buy into the, “When it rains you lose your signal” hype. That’s happened like three times in the three years we’ve had it.
By William
December 31, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
This time it isn’t the cable company. If Viacom wanted a 5¢ increase per station, it wouldn’t be so bad. But any increase in the rates is unacceptable. Good for TWC. Besides there are places online where you can watch all your shows in full for free. Don’t get upset over this. It’s about time that TWC did something like this to stop broadcasting companies from attacking viewers. Remember, Viacom needs money because they can’t sell airtime. Why should we pay for their inept sales force?
By Barry
December 31, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
I wish would could buy cable/satellite TV ‘ala carte’, subscribe to the exact channels you want. I only watch about 1/3 of the channels that I pay for on my satellite programming. As far as Time Warner is concerned, I dropped them about 6-7 years ago. They are like a rotary phone, the only people still subscribing to TW are people still in the 20th century. Remember all the publicity with Time Warner not adding The Big Ten Network, ESPNU, NFL Network, etc?? Satelite added them for FREE!!!
By Dan Edwards
December 31, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
As a former DSR (door to door sales) for TWC, I am reading the same rhetoric BS I heard when I was at your door. A la carte is ludicrous for the reasons Ken stated. The rationalization of how great satellite dishes are, stems from dislike of TWC’s “monopoly” status. You switched to satellite to show TWC who’s boss but, “cut off your nose to spite your own face”. I sold more for TWC to dish customers during inclement weather so, don’t tell me how great your satellite dish is. I won’t believe you
By ohiocatlover
December 31, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
TW, if you don’t believe me call Time Warner’s corporate office in Stamford, Connecticut and talk to someone in the office of the President. Jim, CSPAN-3 is in the digital channel line-up because I have digital cable. I am still not upset about losing the channels because I don’t watch the channels that are listed. The channels that I watch are WDTN, Fox, MSNBC, Food Network,Ohio News Network, and the Weather Channel so it doesn’t matter to me.
By Mark
December 31, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Those are just skip over channels anyways. Cable is going to go away just like newspapers. I can get all I need online or buying a DVD without half of it being comercials. TWC is nothing but greed and those channels are trash. Let them rob each other but leave me out
By jkj
December 31, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
Even though I signed up for TWC’s 2-yr lock-in rate deal….if they drop these channels…this is a deal-breaker on their end and a way “out” of this contract of theirs…bye-bye TWC!!! I hope they loose tons of business over this!!
By julie
December 31, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
If Time Warner is worried about their customers in this hard economic time then why do they continue to increase their rates? Are we going to be refunded for the loss of channels when they are off the air? We signed up for certain features and now they are not available. I dont pay Viacom I pay Time Warner for a service they promised and if they cannot deliver then its time to go elsewhere. Yes, it is Time Warner pulling these channels other satilite and cable providers reached an agreement.
By justin
December 31, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
the one thing that no one is talking about is that fact that those channels get revenue from commercials which I dont think I’m the only that thinks there is too many commercials and not enough show. its like a 16/14 split and i think it swtch from being 16 minutes of show to 14 minutes of advertisements recently to 14 minute of show and 16 ads. these companies arent growing but want their revenues to increase so instead of atracting new customer theyll justcharge you more
By Economy
December 31, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
It started with big ten, then channel 2 jumped on the give us more money band wagon…. Now viacom has seen what making demands and threats can accomplish….It is not going to be long before all ofthe above start hitting up dish, satelite, and AT&T for more money too.
By Jeff
December 31, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
MTV hasn’t aired music videos consistently since I was in high school. Who gives a crap if we lose that? Regardless, Time Warner sucks. The only reason I have it is because I can’t get a dish at my apartment building. DirecTV when I move out, all the way.
By Ridnaway
December 31, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
In looking at this list of channels, I don’t think I watch any of them. I would actually PREFER to lose all the MTV channels. Maybe that way it will be easier for me to insulate my children from the social engineering, moral relevance indocrination being fed to them by the Hollywood illuminati.
By in NC
December 31, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
We have been TWC users for over 15 years in two states- never a satellite user! Noggin is the only commercial free programming for children on the market! I am so sad to see this go… TWC has raised their prices and we are getting less—- they actually just sent out a notice about their price increases— geez… why not just ask us for 23 cents more if they already are asking for 50 cents! Makes no sense! DIRECT TV- HERE WE COME
By steve
December 31, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
The was a banner running at the bottom of the screen on one of the channels being pulled tonight. It urged customers to call Time Warner and protest the change. When I called the number the automatic voice mail came on saying they were having “technical difficulties” and could not receive calls. How convenient.
By APRIL
December 31, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
reguarding the ala carte option everyone is clammoring for would actually make costs of the programs rise… time warner has done ala carte pricing before… i would suggest contacting viacom and letting them know that you want the services and you dont want to have to pay more for services that you were already recieving.