Time Warner Cable drops CBS in NYC, LA following retransmission dispute

Andre Yoskowitz
2 Aug 2013 22:05

Time Warner, following a month-long dispute with CBS, has dropped the top broadcast network from many of its largest markets.
The following stations have been dropped from the following markets:

• New York: WCBS and WLNY (Ind)
• Los Angeles: KCBS and KCAL (Ind)
• Dallas: KTVT-CBS and KTXA (Ind)
• Boston: WBZ-CBS and WSBK (Ind)
• Pittsburgh: KDKA-CBS and WPCW-CW
• Chicago: WBBM-CBS
• Detroit: WKBD-CW
• Denver: KCNC-CBS

Additionally, Showtime, TMC and Flix have all gone off the air, as well.
The companies have been fighting over retransmission fees. Retransmission fees are the money that cable companies pay TV station owners just for the right to broadcast their signals. CBS and Time Warner's existing contract ended in June. Time Warner, in ads played across New York City, say CBS was trying to raise the fee 600 percent.
"We deeply regret this ill-advised action, which is injurious not only to our many affected viewers, but also to Time Warner Cable itself," said CBS, in a statement. "What CBS seeks, and what we always have sought from the beginning, is fair compensation for the most-watched television network with the most popular content in the world. We will not accept less."
"CBS has refused to have a productive discussion. It's become clear that no matter how much time we give them, they're not willing to come to reasonable terms," Time Warner said in its statement.