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Time Warner & Fox Dispute Fees; Channels On The Line

Fox & Time Warner Dispute (Added: December 29, 2009)

NBC 4's Tom Brockman has the fast facts on what it means for you and your favorite shows. (more)

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Time Warner & Fox Dispute Fees; Channels On The Line

What does a dispute between Time Warner and Fox mean for your favorite shows -- and the approaching Bowl Championship Series?

By Tom Brockman
Published: December 29, 2009

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CENTRAL OHIO -- What does a dispute between Time Warner Cable and Fox Broadcasting Company mean for your favorite shows -- and the approaching Bowl Championship Series?

NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.

Thousands of BCS fans in several major U.S. cities could miss out if TWC and Fox don't reach an agreement over fees in the next few days.

Local customers will be able to watch programming, including the bowl games, on the local Fox affiliate because it isn't owned by Fox Broadcasting Company.

However, several of your cable channels could be in jeopardy if things aren’t worked out -- and fast.

The dispute between Time Warner and Fox is about fees the cable giant must pay to be able to offer Fox's programming to its customers.

It's simple: Fox wants more money from Time Warner to air its programming, Time Warner's Judy Barbao said.

Barbao said the problem is that Fox is asking for too much.

“I cannot tell you, specifically, what Fox is asking for, but I can tell you there are situations where the programmer is asking for a 300 percent rate increase," she said.

Barbao said that likely would have to come from customers' pockets.

On KeepFoxOn.com, a Web site run by Fox in an effort to keep its stations on the air, Fox disputes that percentage and claims the price it's asking from Time Warner is “extremely reasonable” when taking into consideration the content it airs.

Time Warner and Fox have until midnight Thursday, Dec. 31, to reach an agreement.

That's when the current contract expires.

If an agreement isn't reached, cable channels, including FX, Fuel TV, Speed Channel and Fox Soccer, will be removed from Time Warner Cable's Columbus lineup.

Other programming would be added to TWC's lineup in that event, Barbao said.

“We have a Plan B. But the main thing we want our customers to know is they will not miss "American Idol." They will not miss bowl games. Their FOX affiliate will be on air regardless of what happens with these negotiations,” she said.

Both Time Warner and Fox have Web sites making their arguments.

To see more of what Time Warner is saying, visit http://www.rolloverorgettough.com.

For the other side, visit http://keepfoxon.com.

For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail stories@nbc4i.com.
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