TW in yet another dispute, this time with Disney

[adam]

Here is an email I just received:

albany-mail.timewarnercable.com/Portal/content/Albany2/care/2010/07July/6140ROOGT.aspx?uh=4787271190262282470&a=View&s=159336&b=66962&ignoremobile=1


Your Cable Video Dollar

You may have heard that Time Warner Cable and Disney - the corporate owner of ABC, ESPN and the Disney cable channels - are in the middle of contract negotiations and Disney is demanding a huge increase in the fees we pay for their programming. To learn more about these negotiations and how TV works today, please visit RollOverOrGetTough.com.

Where Does Your Video Dollar Go?Did you know that nearly 40% of your cable video dollar already goes to programmers like Disney? We have to pay these programmers to bring you the shows you love to watch. If we "roll over" to their demands, it could drive up costs for you. So we have decided to "get tough" and try to hold the line on TV prices.

At Time Warner Cable, we're working to reach a fair agreement that will keep Disney from driving up the cost of cable. But if you're thinking of changing companies - think again. The service provider you switch to - whether it's a phone, cable or satellite company - will eventually face the same demands for fee increases from Disney/ABC/ESPN or another big TV network. Switching isn't the answer. In today's economy, consumers need to stand up and speak out.

For updates, visit RollOverOrGetTough.com. Don't let Disney drive up the price of cable television.

[mattbanks]

This is just ridiculous. While I had no doubts that this will get resolved, it's annoying all this stuff has to keep happening.

[scott]

All the news reports today are saying that TWC and Disney have reached an agreement on a new contract, it just has to be looked over by the lawyers and signed.

[jpeter1093]

What's really ridiculous is that the last time this happened, TW wanted us consumers to get behind them; vote on their 'Get Tough' website to try to keep the programmers from raising rates on them. After the dispute was resolved; TW raised rates. No thanks for trying to help them or a 'well, we fought the good fight but lost'...just raised rates.

You're welcome, Time Warner.

[Skaggs]

Email from TWC today:

To Our Valued Customers...

Time Warner Cable is always negotiating new deals with TV networks. Recently, we reached a new long-term agreement with Disney/ABC and ESPN, so you can continue to watch your favorite channels and the shows you love for years to come.

There will be no interruption of ESPN or Disney channels, as well as WABC in New York, KABC in Los Angeles, WTVD in Raleigh-Durham-Fayetteville and WTVG in Toledo. They'll stay right here on Time Warner Cable. In fact, our agreement means more networks and services for you, including the following*:

• Disney Junior - a new 24-hour basic channel for preschool-age children, parents and caregivers launching in 2012.
• ESPN3.com - ESPN's live sports broadband network will be available to all Time Warner Cable subscribers who get ESPN.
• A New ESPN Service - customers will be able to view ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU through broadband and mobile Internet devices.
• ESPN Goal Line - a college football super-highlight channel will be available only to Time Warner Cable’s Sports Pass customers starting as early as September 4, 2010.
• ESPN Buzzer Beater - a college basketball service similar to ESPN Goal Line, will be available to Time Warner Cable’s Sports Pass customers for college basketball season.
• Expanded Video On Demand Services - including ABC On Demand, Disney-branded On Demand offerings for kids, local sports content in select markets, plus the subscription Video On Demand service "Disney Family Movies."
• Start Over and Look Back - featured on a variety of Disney Media Networks content.
• ESPN Deportes - will be available to a larger Time Warner Cable footprint.
• ESPN 3D
We will continue standing up for our customers when it comes to negotiations with TV programmers. To learn more about these negotiations and the cost of cable, please visit www.RollOverOrGetTough.com.

Thanks again for being a Time Warner Cable customer.


*These services will be made available on a market-by-market basis. Visit www.timewarnercable.com in the coming months for details.