Andre Yoskowitz
22 Jul 2013 19:50
For those outside of its coverage area it may not be a big deal, but Time Warner Cable and CBS are in an ongoing battle over licensing fees to re-transmit the network's channels and programs.
If the dispute is not settled, CBS is expected to pull all of its programming from the major cable operator. Time Warner has argued that CBS is trying to renegotiate the fees at a rate 600 percent higher than the last contract, a massive jump especially for programming that is free with a digital antenna.
TWC has also threatened to recommend that all of its NYC customers (many millions) try Aereo if CBS does pull the content. Aereo allows users to watch free, OTA content on any mobile device along with a free remote DVR. Aereo does not pay any re-transmission fees as it uses tiny digital TV antennas for each user in its own facilities and links to the streams.
The company could certainly use the backing of a major cable network, as it has faced significant backlash since launching in 2011. Last year, CBS, NBC, Fox and other smaller broadcasters filed a copyright suit claiming unauthorized access to their content. So far, two federal courts have sided with Aereo.
Aereo is available in New York, Boston, Atlanta and Chicago and costs $8 per month.