Now
Fair
64.0°
High
87°
Low
64°
Full Forecast

Coupon

Jobs

Cars

Homes

Rentals

Alerts

Subscribe
Home > News > Local
Bookmark Us   •   Make Us Your Homepage

Time Warner, Viacom reach cable channel deal

Comments 144 comment(s)  
E-mail Story E-mail Story
Print Story Print Story
Share  Share
Text Size: 
Tools Sponsor

BY STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Thursday, Jan 01, 2009 - 11:54:16 am CST

In an 11th-hour agreement, Time Warner Cable said it has reached a deal with Viacom Inc. that would avoid a threatened blackout of 19 cable channels in a spat between the two media giants over how much the cable company pays to carry channels such as MTV and Comedy Central.

Time Warner, the nation’s second-largest cable operator, had proposed an increase in what it pays for Viacom’s channels, but the offer initially was rejected as “a pittance,’’ said Viacom spokeswoman Kelly McAndrew.

Blackouts of shows such as “SpongeBob SquarePants’’ and “The Colbert Report’’ loomed for  Time Warner’s 13.3 million cable subscribers. Time Warner serves 110,000 subscribers in Lincoln and Southeast Nebraska.

Shortly after agreeing to extend a midnight deadline by an hour, Time Warner Cable spokesman Alex Dudley said the sides agreed on a new contract.

 Details of the deal were not immediately available.

John Peterson of Lincoln, a father of four boys ages 3 to 11 who watch “SpongeBob SquarePants” on Nickelodeon, wasn’t happy with Viacom’s threat to pull several of its channels from the Time Warner Cable system.

He called Time Warner and Viacom on Wednesday to complain, only to have both companies tell him to call the other one.

“I found it very frustrating,” he said. “These companies are playing games with their customers. That’s what got me upset.”

Time Warner Chief Executive Glenn Britt on Wednesday called Viacom’s demand for a 12 percent increase in fees — an extra $39 million on top of the estimated $300 million it pays Viacom annually — extortion and outrageous given the recession. Viacom countered that the requested increase amounted to an extra $2.76 annually per subscriber.

“We sympathize with the fact that Viacom’s advertising business is suffering and that their networks’ ratings have largely been declining,’’ Britt said. “However, we can’t abide their attempt to make up their lost revenue on the backs of Time Warner Cable customers.’’

Viacom had planned to run TV ads starting today on local broadcast stations blaming Time Warner Cable for any blackout of channels. Viacom began putting Time Warner’s toll-free telephone number Tuesday night on a crawl on its networks, asking subscribers to demand the cable company keep Viacom’s channels.  

Dudley said the advertising campaign was a sign Viacom had been preparing for a damaging shutdown.

Viacom said 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.

McAndrew said that despite ranking high in the ratings, Viacom’s cable networks’ average daily license fee is 65 percent lower than that of networks run by The Walt Disney Co., News Corp.’s Fox, Time Warner Inc.’s Turner Broadcasting System and Discovery Communications Inc.

Analyst Michael Nathanson with Bernstein Research said Viacom’s channels had been “underpriced relative to their peers.’’ He expected a settlement relatively quickly.

“Both sides may not want to see if this battle results in mutually assured destruction, as Viacom loses ad dollars and Time Warner Cable loses subscribers,’’ he wrote in a research note.

Public carriage fee disputes of this scale between a programmer and a cable operator are not that common, especially when there’s the threat of a blackout, said Derek Baine, senior analyst at SNL Kagan in Monterey, Calif. Typically, both sides agree on contract extensions as they negotiate on terms, he said, and any blackouts don’t last long because TV operators get calls from outraged customers.

But this time, Time Warner Cable faced Viacom, the largest cable programmer.

“It’s a must-have,’’ Baine said. “That’s probably why Viacom is playing hardball.’’

The channels that would have been affected in Nebraska are Nickelodeon, MTV, VH1, Noggin, TV Land, Comedy Central and Spike on the basic cable tier (Channels 2-80) and LOGO, Nicktoons, The N, MTV2 and VH1 Classic on the digital tier.

Programming from those networks on Time Warner’s on-demand channels also would have be affected.

Viacom networks CMT and BET are part of a different carriage contract, according to local Time Warner spokeswoman Ann Shrewsbury.

“We understand (our customers’) concerns,” Shrewsbury said earlier Wednesday. “We’re going to continue to negotiate aggressively on their behalf for fair and reasonable rates.”

Shrewsbury said subscribers jammed phone lines nationwide on Wednesday. Locally, many more worried customers journeyed to Time Warner’s offices for answers.

One of those was Lincoln’s Deena Saddler, a mother of three children ages 2 to 10. She said her children watch Nickelodeon and Noggin. She’s a regular MTV and VH1 viewer.

“Really, for me, by not having those channels, there’s no point of me having cable,” she said. “I’m really hoping (the negotiations) don’t take long.”

Shrewsbury said Wednesday night that Time Warner was prepared to offer alternative programming should a blackout occur, but after receiving news of a “handshake deal” with Viacom, she expressed her relief that negotiations apparently were over.

“We appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding,” she said.

Journal Star reporter Jeff Korbelik contributed to this report.


$1 Sunday Delivery - Subscribe Today!
Local > Back to Top of Story

Post Your Comment

Standards and Rules
All posts to JournalStar.com are subject to our Terms and Standards.
Your posted comment will appear after it has been approved.
Frequently asked questions about story commenting.
(optional)
   
Hide Comments Hide Comments   Newest First Newest First  
JasonD wrote on December 31, 2008 10:19 am:
" Cut them from the line up! I have 3 kids that will miss Noggin and Nick, but with as many options available both on TWC and through the web, the channels won't be missed for long. "
What about wrote on December 31, 2008 10:39 am:
" I'm wondering how many of these companies will be in business after the change over in February. Some people may not feel like paying a cable company for "free" over the air t.v. anyway. Most of the cable stations are nice but they are not a necessity. "
DirecTV thank you very much. wrote on December 31, 2008 10:45 am:
" We've had DirecTV for well over 9 years now, and couldn't be happier. Sure we may lose the signal for a few minutes if it rains really, REALLY hard, but not having the grief and frustration of dealing with Time Warner anymore more than makes up for about 15 minutes without Television per year. "
Jeff 6yr Digital Subscriber wrote on December 31, 2008 10:46 am:
" Wow, 25 cents a month is going to hurt, not me, Time Warner. We do 60% of our TV watching on those channels. Not from TWC anymore. Cable bills are outrageous but I think most anyone who is a subscriber would pay the fee to keep the channels. Viacom fees only make up 2.5% of the bill you pay, is their request for more money from a company whom already has a monopoly (no other cable co. in Lincoln) really that out of line? How much has your cable bill increased due to the costs of the useless software changeover? "
That seems like and improvement wrote on December 31, 2008 10:52 am:
" That seems like an improvement to get red of those channel "
Jeff 6yr Digital Subscriber wrote on December 31, 2008 10:53 am:
" If the shows go dark after midnight, Time Warner Cable will send people to the Internet to catch episodes. The cable operator also will make available a video teaching people how to hook their computers up to the TV to watch online shows — a tactic it used during a contract dispute with broadcaster LIN TV in October.
Teach you how to cut out the middle man, careful TW most all of your programmers content is online, you may teach your customers how to live without you.
If we could only get high speed internet without cable...
Goodbye TWC. "
Nina wrote on December 31, 2008 10:59 am:
" By the same token, Lincolnites could NOT lose some channels - IF they have a dish instead of cable. "
Roger wrote on December 31, 2008 10:59 am:
" Those channels do not make that much difference "comedy central" is a filth show anyhow. "
Saving money wish dish wrote on December 31, 2008 11:01 am:
" TWC is a rip off anyway, I switched to dish network over 2 years ago and get more channels, premium channels, 2 DVR's, on 4 tv's in my house and still paying less than I did with TWC for half of what I have now. Not to mention Dish has more HD channels. I haven't had any probs with my dish and it very seldom goes out due to weather. I have maybe had 30 minutes of outages in over 2 years. "
DISH wrote on December 31, 2008 11:03 am:
" Its really to bad that they refer to all of lincolns residents will loose those channels.. not me that is why i have been a dish network customer for over 10 years and have never had any issues, ya i might loose a signal if it rains really hard but its worth it. "
Spike wrote on December 31, 2008 11:07 am:
" I will miss comedy central...but Spike TV is awesome...where else do you get Star Trek: Next Gen and CSI all the time. "
TO Jeff 6yr Digital Subscriber wrote on December 31, 2008 11:12 am:
" You CAN get high speed internet without cable. Its an extra 5 bucks, but saves you at least 60 in cable charges.... "
Lincolnite wrote on December 31, 2008 11:15 am:
" How is it TWC's decision on what channels I can & can't watch? .25 is not going to kill the cable bill, come on TWC don't make all of us suffer b/c you can't get your way. If you take away those channgels I will cancel my service!!!!! "
Great Idea wrote on December 31, 2008 11:20 am:
" How about filling those channels with more shopping channels! It seems that is all that is on cable now. It is a joke what they offer, All the HBO's and showtimes were filled with shopping. What a deal pay to watch Shopping channel to but junk.
Why don't they have the NFL network or Other programs that people want. But no they just fill it with Shopping from He00. Great idea "
Rey wrote on December 31, 2008 11:20 am:
" Too bad that Dish won't carry the Omaha channels. I really like a couple of the Omaha stations and since they are only 50 or so miles away events there affect us, at least it does more than what's happening in Hastings (Dish carries a Hastings channel.)

As someone who needs to stick with Time Warner I say drop the Viacom stations, we don't watch them anyway. "
Switching wrote on December 31, 2008 11:21 am:
" Time to switch away from cable "
Unhappy TWC Subscriber wrote on December 31, 2008 11:23 am:
" I unfortunately HAVE to subscribe to TWC because a dish has to be positioned a certain direction, and my apartment is right in the path of the signal. TWC is the WORST cable company and I hate having to deal with them. I would much rather have Direct TV or Dish. "
Have your dish wrote on December 31, 2008 11:26 am:
" I think it's funny how dish subscribers compare their service to TW. Guess what, my cable NEVER goes out when it rains, even during a big storm, and I don't have an ugly dish and cable mounted on my house. "
Amy wrote on December 31, 2008 11:26 am:
" Big Deal! My family has gone since September with no TV. All of our favorite shows can be viewed on the internet. Why pay for internet and cable/dish. Our TV is now only used for watching DVD's and playing with on the WII. And the time we spent watching TV is used for other things including reading books checked out from our local library. "
JJ wrote on December 31, 2008 11:28 am:
" You do realize, Jeff, that the local phone company offers highspeed internet for less than TWC. I have high speed which is just as fast as TWC and I pay $14.99 a month, with my home phone my total bill is $60 a month.You can hook up internet through windstream without paying for a phone also. "
Mom of 2 wrote on December 31, 2008 11:32 am:
" I will pay the extra $.25 a month. "
Mark wrote on December 31, 2008 11:39 am:
" I signed a 3 year contract to lock my cable price, those channels were part of the deal. How does TWC get to drop these channels and am I still have to stay with them? If they do this they should let everyone leave their service without a penalty!!! "
Bob wrote on December 31, 2008 11:41 am:
" Roger- Comedy Central is a channel, not a program.

Wow, the hits just keep coming from Time Warner. How do they even have a customer base left in Lincoln after their 'navigator' fiasco? They consistently overprice and underdeliver...a combo like that won't last forever, no matter how loyal you think Nebraskans are. You have choices people, time to take a look elsewhere. "
Hold Strong TWC wrote on December 31, 2008 11:41 am:
" At least they are sticking up for their customers! I hate rate increases as much as the next person, but at least they're working FOR us this time. "
jo gale wrote on December 31, 2008 11:45 am:
" TWC

that would truly be the final straw "
Scare Tactics wrote on December 31, 2008 11:46 am:
" Another case of inserting "fear" in our lives. Now they want us to worry our stations will be lost. TWC should man up, raise the rates and let the customers fall ... we are thinking individuals and will adjust. "
TW customer wrote on December 31, 2008 11:47 am:
" I will be very upset if they remove those stations, I pay enough for cable and those are the stations I awtch the most. i would in a heartbeat swtich to Dish but unfourtunately I too live in an apartment facing the wrong direction. I have been wanting to get rid of TW for awhile, this may push me over the edge and save me $90 dollars a month, what a load of crap. "
Megan wrote on December 31, 2008 11:51 am:
" I only pay $16 a month for limited basic cable from TWC, channels 2-22... yeah it's not much, but all the other channels above 22 I can watch online. It's a lot better than paying for the full digital cable package. I wish I could just get dish but I can't because of the apartment I am in. "
Get Real T-W wrote on December 31, 2008 11:51 am:
" A quarter a month! Dial down your control issues and get the channels. "
Comedy Sports Junkie wrote on December 31, 2008 11:59 am:
" 95% of my television comes from ESPN and Comedy Central. I might be able to survive without Comedy Central, but would wither away without ESPN!!! "
Also switching and Mom of 3 wrote on December 31, 2008 12:00 pm:
" I agree with "Switching." It is time to switch from TWC. Our bill went up 10% from Oct to Nov. And without any notice. And now they are saying they will need to raise it more to keep these channels.
Bye-Bye. Dish sounds like a good option along with Windstream internet. "
Jason wrote on December 31, 2008 12:06 pm:
" I'm pretty close to the point with most of my showes that with the exception of live sports on television I could do without cable. Most of my shows appear on DVD a few months after the season is over with anyway. What's next? Is Time Warner going to go after Best Buy and Circit City saying that they have a right to part of the revenue that DVD sales make? "
Let em go wrote on December 31, 2008 12:08 pm:
" I could care less if those channels go. There was one decent cartoon on CN (Avatar) and that is now in re-runs. I won't miss any of the others. As far as TWC goes, I can't complain, as their internet service in Lincoln is top notch (or at least 1000 times better than the alternatives we have here). Yes you can get internet somewhere else, but it isn't nearly as good.

If they got rid of the Discovery channel types, then I might care, but I applaud TWC for standing firm against a price hike. Don't kid yourselves folks, if Viacom raises their rates, the others will do, and what started off as a $.23 hike, will snowball into something MUCH higher... and don't think that the satalite providers will be immune as well.

If a business can get away with a rate hike, they will, and all the rest will fall in line and do the same. "
TWC stinks wrote on December 31, 2008 12:12 pm:
" TWC is horrible. We will lose Nick and Comedy Central but I bet they won't reduce our rates which incidentially went up. They won't give us the NFL Network which had a bowl game on it last night. Oh, and they have not given us the whole truth regard to the DVR debacle from months ago. Other than that, a fine company that the city continues to coddle. Maybe this mayor should be aggressive to get another company, i.e. Cox cable or Charter, to come in to this city by giving them some breaks. I'd switch to satelite if it were feasible but it is not where I'm at. "
Down with Time Warner wrote on December 31, 2008 12:13 pm:
" I think this is funny. Time Warner is the worst cable service out there. Time Warner could take the deal with Viacom and not charge there customers a dime and still make money. It will be funny when every mother and father of a tv addicted kids calls Time Warner when there kids are kicking and screaming because there is no Dora the Explorer, Sponge Bob Square Pants, or Go Diego Go. Oh no what should the children of Lincoln do?

I'm a father of two kids and we where addicted to t.v and video games. My son, daughter and I watched t.v and played video games for hours and then one day about a year ago I shut it off. We went to the library and went for a walk in the park. I spend more quality time with my kids and we don't miss the t.v one bit. We still watch t.v from time to time but nothing like before. "
Marc wrote on December 31, 2008 12:15 pm:
" I say... Meh! Comedy Central is the only channel I'd remotely miss and I catch most of the good stuff on Hulu.com, so I say, let them go dark. Frankly the only reason I'm with TWC is because of the Internet access. Once we buy a house we'll be switching to a dish for TV. I just moved from a Comcast area and let me tell you, TWC is terrible by comparison and Comcast is no angel itself! "
Bring it wrote on December 31, 2008 12:20 pm:
" Lincoln needs Cox. I know plenty of Omahans that are very happy with that company.

I will wallow in despair without Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. "
Scuff wrote on December 31, 2008 12:23 pm:
" I would rather TWC drop Viacom altogether and cut my cable bill by 2.5%!

Comedy Central and Spike are spotty at best, and there are lots of other sources for good kids' programming. But MTV? VH1? CMT? All garbage! eMpTyV hasn't been relevant for well over a decade, and VH1/CMT never were. Time to trim the fat. "
Amy wrote on December 31, 2008 12:30 pm:
" Good riddens, less garbage on television. Perhaps IQs will rise when MtV, "Comedy" Central, et al, goes off the air. That said, I'm sure TWC will not lower their charges proportionately to the loss in programming.

I've been with DirecTV for nearly 7 years and haven't looked back. Although I keep hearing about the weather related blackouts with satellite, I experienced far more delays/service interruptions with TWC than I have with DirecTV. Besides, if you have digital cable you will experience the same rain blackout as you would with a dish (digital cable IS satellite cable, it's just coming in through TWC's local dish and the signal transmitted through cable). I'll suffer a few minutes of storm related blackouts (which I'd have with digital cable anyway) to avoid TWC's horrid service. "
STF wrote on December 31, 2008 12:38 pm:
" Actually we all should be screaming about the commercials that are being run during any program. Regardless of what you pay or who you have, we're still PAYING to watch an increasingly amount of comemrcials. I would PAY EXTRA to not have as many commercials interupt the show. "
John wrote on December 31, 2008 12:39 pm:
" Hey Time Warner...we have cable because we want Nickelodeon, Nicktoons & TV Land. If you drop them I guess I can save some money. What will that cost you?? "
NOT Fair wrote on December 31, 2008 12:47 pm:
" I can NOT lose Nick or Noggin. With the cost of cable as it is, these channels can't be dropped. I've had Nick since it had "You can't Do that on Television" and "Today's Special" and "Pinwheel". "
Ann Shrewsbury wrote on December 31, 2008 12:47 pm:
" I am the Public Affairs Director for TWC here in Lincoln. Know that TWC is continuing to negotiate with MTV Networks today to reach an agreement that is fair and equitable to everyone involved. Clearly, we understand our customers' frustration, but the fact that MTV wants our customers to pay millions more (nearly triple the rate increase under our current agreement) is just not acceptable, especially in this economy. "
Fed up wrote on December 31, 2008 12:50 pm:
" Comedy Central is about the only channel I watch. But maybe it'd be best if it goes away to further expose Time Warner as a sub par provider.
So to review - we have the recent rate increase, the Navigator fiasco, and Time Warner service has horrible for years.
What's it going to take to get some competition for these clowns in Lincoln? "
Aaron wrote on December 31, 2008 12:52 pm:
" Thanks Time Warner for looking out for our money. I have received two bill increases this year without any explanation and I only have the cabel without the digital tier. This will give me a perfect excuse to leave this filthy company. "
Dr. Electronics wrote on December 31, 2008 12:53 pm:
" Remember a few years ago when L.E.S. wanted to light up its dark fiber but the city council said no? That would have let another cable company and landline telephone company come into Lincoln. Need I say more! "
NoMTVBlessing wrote on December 31, 2008 12:54 pm:
" Have you seen the crap on this channel. This could be a blessing. MTV is a parents worst nightmare. Sweet 16...ugh! I can live without the other channels as well. I bet our rates go up anyway..TWC will stick it to us and blame it on Viacom. "
Max A. wrote on December 31, 2008 1:02 pm:
" TW, just pay the rate increase, and be done with it. Mr. Mayor, please get off your duff, and start soliciting bids from other cable companies! It's past time that TW had competition. It's also time for the Mayor and City Council to demonstrate their leadership, and end the strangle hold that TW has on Lincoln. "
Gipped wrote on December 31, 2008 1:09 pm:
" Yeah, my TWC went up $5.00 in Nov. without any notice. Comedy Central
and the rest are just junk. I have 72 channels and only watch about 6
past the first 22. So I'm paying for gobs of channels that aren't even
worth watching. Past channel 22 I only watch 25, 32, 46, 70 & 71. Look
what I pay for that aren't even worth looking at!! Internet on cable is
alot faster than Windstream or I'd switch. So I'm gettin' cable telephone
so I can make long distance calls free!!! I figure all those channels
I pay for and aren't worth watching, they owe me the free long distance
telephone calls!!! "
DIRECTV wrote on December 31, 2008 1:10 pm:
" I got Directv hooked up this mouth and it's the best lots more HD channels and it's great don't miss TWC at all... "
Ryan wrote on December 31, 2008 1:11 pm:
" Just a note for those of you who won't leave TWC due to internet. You can call Internet Nebraska (www.inebraska.com) and get the same cable internet as you currently get from TWC for LESS! They charge $40/month for the same exact service. The bill even comes from TWC. Save yourself some money and switch! "
geez wrote on December 31, 2008 1:14 pm:
" Seems like yet another reason to get a competing cable company into Lincoln! "
tiredoflife wrote on December 31, 2008 1:16 pm:
" So if they don't reach an agreement will my bill go down? "
UFC Fan wrote on December 31, 2008 1:20 pm:
" We're losing Spike so that means we lose UFC...


I see that as a HUGE problem. "
i will bet wrote on December 31, 2008 1:22 pm:
" we could probably get those channels on a dish network. Funny thing is the cable company has been sticking it to all of us for so long we probably wont miss them much. "
My how some forget wrote on December 31, 2008 1:24 pm:
" Everybody screaming that they have had Dish Network forever and never have any problems are having some serious memory loss. In 2004 Dish network dropped all Viacom channels over the same thing. I'm not a fan of TWC but lets not act like this is Time Warner doing this. Viacom has done this with many cable and satellite providers in the past and will continue to do so. This could happen to DirectTV or any other provider just as easily. "
AnnTWC wrote on December 31, 2008 1:29 pm:
" It's not just Time Warner customers MTV is going after. They also mention Brighthouse cable customers in their scroll today. A few years ago they had a similar dispute with Dish Network and took channels off of the satellite system, as well. (see article below)

http://money.cnn.com/2004/03/09/technology/echostar_viacom/index.htm "
Enough Already wrote on December 31, 2008 1:30 pm:
" Seriously TWC... Enough already. 25 cents per customer? With what you're already robbing us all with, I would think you could afford to just cover that. I give you $168 a month for cable and internet and you are fighting Viacom over a quarter for my house? This is ridiculous. If my son doesn't have his Nick in the morning, I promise you won't have my $168 next month. I'll take Windstream up on their daily offers of cheaper internet service and start watching TV on the internet. I'm sick of Time Warner and this may just be the final nail in their coffin. Thank goodness this is the last day of the year. I'd like to start the year off with positive energy. :-) "
The Last Straw for TWC wrote on December 31, 2008 1:32 pm:
" TWC - pay attention....if we lose one network and continue to pay your outrageous fees, you will not only lose me as a customer but tens of thousands even in Lincoln and millions nationwide....we are sick of your crappy service....Get a clue: THIS IS THE LAST STRAW TIME WARNER CABLE!!! "
John Holmes wrote on December 31, 2008 1:35 pm:
" Good bye TWC, I just called All Digital here in town and DirecTV here I come. Same channels and DVR for $39.99/month for the first12 months. "
YES wrote on December 31, 2008 1:40 pm:
" I'm excited about receiving a bill for a lower amount!!

Let em go. "
karen wrote on December 31, 2008 1:49 pm:
" I just signed up for a two year locked in price with TWC. I will pay $130.00 before taxes compared to $190.00 before. I have no trouble with TWC. We had Dish Network for four or five years and absolutely HATED it. The ugly dish thing sitting outside in our yard (would never put it on the roof, really tacky) I don't watch most of the channels that will go dark, actually, I am not sure which ones they are. I pay for the Sports Tier, and hope that isn't part of it. Guess I should do some research. "
Jeff wrote on December 31, 2008 1:53 pm:
" I am guessing the bill WILL NOT go down. It should, but it won't. "
TWC Customer wrote on December 31, 2008 1:55 pm:
" Windstream will be busy the next couple weeks. "
No more TWC I Have Antenna wrote on December 31, 2008 1:55 pm:
" My dear husband was terrible with paying the cable bill. Hell who can afford it? That was 4 years ago. So they disconnected us. BEST thing ever happened. And we only have the basic 2 to 70 service. We watched over the air and the world never came to an end. I was at the neighbors once helping baby sit they had the digital box and not one thing worthwhile to watch it was all Crap. We have had some issue swith the digital conversion for over the air and got a high end HDTV it has built in guide and we get plently of broadcast stations and a great weather now channel from ketv 7-2 and local with some pumped in stuff. Everything is now fine. My parentds also bought a similar high end set and wihtout their box (twc) all the channels except for a few look really grainy. They pass through analog or something and the guide with the TV won't even work. Mines does with antenna service. How does twc feel now that there getting jacked too? Will they now dicount the bill, or add more Crapola? Now there runing phones that go out. My customers use them for their alarms and there always going down (we never suggested it in the first place ) then they switch back to windstream. May your new years resolution to dump the cable, save money spend time exercising, conserve money, enjoy life and others. Glad it's not our problem or concern anymore. I just wanted to laugh all afternoon. too bad... "
Sarah wrote on December 31, 2008 2:08 pm:
" OMG. No MTV?? And 'Bromance' with Brody Jenner just started. How will I survive. But seriously......I don't know what the big deal is concerning a 25 cent increase. TWC has certainly raised rates much more than that with no explanation as others have written. Hopefully it will get resolved, this corporate game of chicken. "
Bye-Bye TWC wrote on December 31, 2008 2:10 pm:
" So, if we are protesting at $0.23 increase, can I just know what was the reason for the $5.00 increase 5 weeks ago? And if you drop Viacom, will you decrease the price? Will your digital signal improve, so I don't completely lose it every time a cloud or bird comes by?

Oh never mind, I'm going to Dish "
Let Me See wrote on December 31, 2008 2:12 pm:
" I might watch Spike on very RARE occasions. Otherwise, I don't watch any of the other channels listed. Viacomm can take a hike on this one as far as I'm concerned. Viacomm collects money from TW for providing MTV? They should be paying the cable companies to carry that one. It is nothing more than music hyped to the kids in a thinly-veiled advertising scheme. "
Why wrote on December 31, 2008 2:15 pm:
" Just get rid of cable, real simple! You would be absolutely AMAZED at how much you can get done when you're not watching TV. I know, common sense says you would notice, but until you actually "unplug" you truly wouldn't believe the difference. "
who cares wrote on December 31, 2008 2:15 pm:
" Who cares? Eliminate everyone of these channels as there's nothing but crap on all of them anyway. Won't matter in terms of cost to the customer.....TW will just jack up the rate regardless of what happens. "
Cole wrote on December 31, 2008 2:18 pm:
" The TWC package of premium channels, movies and shows on demand, DVR, digital phone and high-speed internet really cannot be matched without piecemealing a bunch of different services and companies. To get what I have now I'd have to switch to Dish Network, Windstream, maybe Netflix or something, buy a Tivo and the list goes on. We really are hamstrung. When we added digital phone, we locked into a price for everything together for two years.

The Daily Show and Cobert Report are huge - not only with us but everyone we hang around with. If Comedy Central and all of those other channels go dark tomorrow, I don't know how you could call this anything less than...

A BREACH OF CONTRACT.

When we call to disconnect, it will be interesting to see what they try to charge us. (emphasis on the word 'try').

Is Viacom being unreasonable? Is TWC? I don't know and I don't care. I DO know that when I pay for something and I don't get it, I take action. I will wait and see if those channels are dark Thursday morning and be ready to pick up the phone (cell phone I guess). I'll have quite a few numbers to dial. "
be nice wrote on December 31, 2008 2:21 pm:
" when you all call in to complain to time warner or stop in the office to drop your service, be nice to the customer service reps! They don't get paid enough to deal with 8 hours of unhappy people yelling at them for something they have absolutely no involvment in. And if they aren't exactly pleasant with you, think about all the people that commented this article and imagine what they are saying to the reps...its probably not very nice and its hard to put on a smile after being yelled at all day.... "
TWC a Corporate blight on Lincoln wrote on December 31, 2008 2:21 pm:
" Why customers would put up with the constant stream of fumbled public relations and shennaningans from TWC when viable alternatives like Dish or Dish Network are out there is beyond me.....a real howler is the idea that TWC has some kind of principeled stance to protect customers....what a laugh....this is about protecting shareholders and the profit margin. If you really want to be outraged, check out how profitable TW has been over the years and how much the Time Warner CEO makes, how much cable rates have increased over the last 12 years, and then put that in perspective when they balk at truly negligible increases from Viacom. You might further raise your ire by looking at how much TWC squeezes out of the citizens of Lincoln each month (millions per month on subscriptions alone) and then compare that with TWC charitable giving and the scrooge like civc and corporate involvement they have in Lincoln. If TWC truly cared for customers, they wouldn't continually push the envelope on what customers will stomach before finally switching to a satellite provider....as a quasi public utility, we should expect a great deal more from TWC. "
Irritated Customer wrote on December 31, 2008 2:22 pm:
" If I'm losing that many channels, I expect a SIZABLE discount on my bill effective at 12:01 a.m. I know TWC wouldn't dream of doing this, so if the conflict goes on, I will drop. "
Please explain wrote on December 31, 2008 2:28 pm:
" TWC, please explain to me why you are concerned about passing a $.25 per household per month increase on to your customers to keep VIACOM networks, yet you had no problem at all raising mine and thousands of other customers rate by $5 per month per household without any explanation or improved programming in November.

Here's a theory, TWC cable knew ahead of time they would reach an impasse with VIACOM, so they raised our rate by $5 per month in November to cover it. Now when they give in under pressure to VIACOM at the 11th hour, they will say they need to raise our rate yet again to cover the cost...do you see a trend???

Its time to switch to satellite. City Council - please begin the process to get another cable provider in Lincoln, me and at least 35,000 subscribers would appreciate it.

If VIACOM pulls the plug at midnight, TWC as an obligation to provide us programming other than shopping on the seven dark channels on the basic 2-75 tier....if those seven channels are dark, then TWC doesn't care at all about their customers, which should already be obvious by now. "
Jj wrote on December 31, 2008 2:32 pm:
" To those who think TWC is better than Dish, how much are you paying for service with TWC? I have 4 tv's hooked up to all channels(not just basic), 2 DVR's, over 250 channels, local channels, HBO, Encore, Starz and pay $80 a month. the only channel I've ever lost over a dispute is a local channel, which I could get the same shows on another channel(and they brought it back within weeks). Dish doesn't have blackouts like they used to years ago, they are few and far between. I have read more negative articles on TWC than I ever have about any Dish company. I then pay Windstream $60 for high speed internet, phone w/ voice mail, caller id, call waiting, etc. I was paying TWC well over $100 for half those channels,no internet or anything else. And I could only recieve the premium channels on the one tv that the box was hooked to. By the way, my dish is fairly small and not very noticeable on the back of my house. Plus, they have excellent customer service! And they offer way more HD channels than TWC. The people that have Dish can brag on here when TWC has problems because we don't have near the problems you do and we pay way less and get more! Have fun with your cable, TWC customers! "
Had Both wrote on December 31, 2008 2:42 pm:
" I too have had dish and TWC, and TWC basic 80 channels, are better than both satellite companies 250 channel package. "
Kevin wrote on December 31, 2008 2:45 pm:
" I've been without cable for almost 7 years now.

One of the best decisions I ever made.

There's some great programming out there, but I can find it on Hulu. "
Windstream Hilarious wrote on December 31, 2008 2:54 pm:
" It would take them three weeks just to getting around to hook you up! An dthen would it work?
Have you ever called 611 repair in arkansas or where ever it is? They tell you your call for service will be given high priority, and will resolve your repair issue in 48 hours??? High priority yeah right. I have windstream phone and internet and it was not always the best in the DSL pioneering days but have not had any problems recently and is for the most part very reliable. We have an antenna too for over air tv (free). We never had a service issue repair with twc , did not have a navigator either. Just a problem with the twc Bill! and lack of content and value. "
Michael wrote on December 31, 2008 2:57 pm:
" TV is garbage anyway. Its insulting to sit and pay and watch a lot of advertising for crap ever hour. 2 minutes of show. 5 minutes of commercials. Read a book. "
sara wrote on December 31, 2008 3:11 pm:
" I couldn't care less about most of the channels, but losing Comedy Central (The Daily Show, Colbert Report, South Park) will be awful.
Tisk tisk TWC, you charge too much for your service and when Viacom wants their FAIR share, the customers get the shaft... AGAIN!!!! "
Amy Bolton wrote on December 31, 2008 3:18 pm:
" If it were not for my kids loving Nic and Noggin, I would not have cable. I guess my monthly bills just got a little cheeper as I have no need for cable without those channels. I moved here 9 months ago and was shocked at the high cable rates, I can't believe with what they charge this is happening. "
jojo wrote on December 31, 2008 3:47 pm:
" I signed up for the 2-year lock in deal too and since I'm living up to my end of the contract, I expect TWC to as well. If these channels are gone more than one week, I expect a VERY reasonable amount to be deducted off my bill. But considering my past experience with TWC it will probably be very puny.

In October of last year, my digital cable and internet would go out for 5-10 mins up to twenty times a day. We had numerous servicemen come out who could find nothing wrong. After 16 days the problem went away on its own. I called TWC to have my account reimbursed for all the days of interrupted service and was given a total of $8 back (on my monthly bill of $137). If my math is right that's about 2-3% reimbursement for service that only worked properly for 14 days out of the month.

And unfortunately I live in an apartment, so a dish is never an option. "
Carla Bishop wrote on December 31, 2008 4:00 pm:
" Let's also remember TWC can't seem to come to an agreement with the NFL Network either! Just try calling or emailing about it and they will blame it on NFL. Hmm...I find it hard to believe TWC is the victim of NFL AND Viacom.

Everyone on here needs to visit the Cox Cable website and let them know how well they could do if they set up shop in Lincoln! "
Upset wrote on December 31, 2008 4:06 pm:
" I myself watch most of the channels and could deal with losing them, but my 2 year old daughter enjoys noggin very much and would be upset to no longer be able to watch "wow wow wubzy" Or "blues clues" anymore... Thanks alot Time Warner just another reason that i hate you! We most likely will be getting Direct TV over the weekend. We had been thinking about it lately and this just maybe the straw that broke the camels back! "
KristineK wrote on December 31, 2008 4:20 pm:
" There are other things to do besides watch tv and sit on the internet. What a waste of money..... "
Jay wrote on December 31, 2008 4:30 pm:
" Here is a thought. How about canceling cable like I did close to a year ago and replace it with 16 free HD quality channels for a $0 monthly charge? I get all Lincoln and Omaha ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, etc. all in HD crystal clear quality. Hey kids, ever watch PBS? Neither did mine until I switched. There is more quality kids programming on PBS than probably on Nick and noggin together. Stop paying TWC, Dish and DirecTV. Get programming for FREE. After Feb 2009, even more channels will pop up. I even have a DVR to record the FREE TV I get. No service fees either. Visit DTVPal.com and stop throwing money away. "
dish is a joke wrote on December 31, 2008 4:41 pm:
" i have tried to not use TWC but everytime the wind blows the dish never worked. not to mention the classy installation of black cable staple completely around my house. good job direct tv, good job. i will be VERY UPSET if they do not negotiate. those basically take 10 channels off our medium grade cable package. if this goes through i will cut completely down, there is no point in paying TWC for channels i won't watch. Maybe they can cut the Home Shopping Network and the likes 5 channels.... "
Whats funny is... wrote on December 31, 2008 4:46 pm:
" You folks are upset because they are NOT hiking prices because Viacomm is DEMANDING they increase prices.

If TWC were to increase prices, for whatever reasons, and met the demands of Viacomm, I'm pretty sure the same people that are crying about how TWC should cave in so the channels can be saved, would be posting here how TWC gouges them and don't understand why their bill is going up X amount each month.

Guess what folks, this isn't the first time that Viacomm has been behind TWC and other cable companies rate hikes. It's about time -someone- stood up for them.

Personally, I won't miss any of those channels. Good riddance spongebob, may our children get smarter through time without you. "
Aghast wrote on December 31, 2008 4:49 pm:
" Time Warner is as tone-deaf as the heads of the big three automakers. They raise our rates during the same month THEY KNOW subscribers are liable to lose much of their programming? After raising our rates twice in 2008, Time Warner has the gall to whine about 25 cents? I'm still shaking my head over the insensitivity and arrogance displayed during the chaos that followed the upgrading of the DVR system a couple of years ago. Ms. Shrewsbury, I don't know how you can stand to work for a company that is either so stupid or so non-caring about its customers. "
Rob wrote on December 31, 2008 4:52 pm:
" For those of you who bash satellite (Time Warner employees who get free service) you fail to realize how Time Warner gets the signal...via satellite!

TWC actions will continue to make a great case for bringing in additional service providers. I for one am considering moving to satellite and this would be the final straw.

If the "negotiations" are successful; I'm sure we'll have to pay more or be "thankful" they didn’t raise our prices....this month. "
chasek wrote on December 31, 2008 4:56 pm:
" Yes!!! I never have to watch rock of love, the hills, flavor of love, double shot of love, or bromance ever again. Thank you TWC... Our community will get smarter! "
Comcast or Cox wrote on December 31, 2008 5:19 pm:
" Two companies come to mind... Comcast or Cox. (not Charter, we want an improvement) It is time for Time Warner to go. Just make the deal with another cable company and sell your Lincoln business to them and move out. We'll all be happy. Go away Time Warner. Please. I know that Viacom doesn't have great ratings but you don't have a great cable company and that doesn't stop you from raising your rates whenever you feel like it and without any notice or reason. Don't get me started on ratings though... they are a joke to begin with. "
heres a tip wrote on December 31, 2008 5:34 pm:
" for those who don't want a dish because they can't get the Omaha channels, buy an antenna ($80 at Radio Shack) and get a converter box and an A/B switch. You will get all the Omaha channels (and Lincoln channels when the weather is good) for free. 3.1,6.1,6.2, 7.1, 7.2, 15.1,42.1, 42.2 come in crystal clear all the time,while 8.1,8.2, 10.1, 10.2 and the 3 Nets usually come in good. also I think KOLN is starting a third channel. "
daniel wrote on December 31, 2008 5:35 pm:
" nick channel is very important to many kids, we will cancel time warner if they continue doing this! Parents wont stand for someone upsetting their children!!!! "
ts wrote on December 31, 2008 5:40 pm:
" I'm glad I swithced to the DISH 12 years ago! Best move ever! I have saved a ton of money. Good luck TWC viewers. "
p.s. wrote on December 31, 2008 5:43 pm:
" by the way, if you do disconnect from cable , it is really fun to hear them beg you not to. they will offer you a better rate for 3 months, then 6 months, and then they will offer you channels 2-22 for $16 dollars. why don't they make this choice available before they piss you off? disconnect today. it will be the best decision you make this year! "
JR wrote on December 31, 2008 6:05 pm:
" Maybe get rid of the crap the nobody watches.. like all the shopping networks.. The soap channels...

Or maybe a better idea, Ala Carte like Canada.. That puts responsibility on the channels themselves to better their programming.

When we can choose what channels we want, the programming directors have to step it up and quit feeding us crappy tv.


I'm sure glad Time Warner is on the customer side.. Culling our channels, upgrading our digital cable box menus and operating systems. Thanks TW.

Satellite here we come.. !!! "
jpc wrote on December 31, 2008 6:21 pm:
" for all the complaing parents, why don't you try parenting your children for once instead of parking them in front of the tv? Or make them read a book or do homework instead.
As for everyone else, if you don't like TWC, cancel your service! It is just that simple! "
T wrote on December 31, 2008 6:40 pm:
" yup, must be TWC's fault. Everything else is.... "
Straight Thinker wrote on December 31, 2008 6:55 pm:
" Viacom and Time Warner will "blink" at midnight of this standoff...with some kind of "temporary" truce....just watch... I highly doubt they will cut off their nose to spite their face. Both companies don't deserve our respect. Watch the cliffhanger suddenly become a big nothing..no blank channels...if I am wrong, it is satellite time for me! No more cable after having it for 33 years here in Lincoln (was the phone company back then...remember??? "
Marilyn wrote on December 31, 2008 7:06 pm:
" Let TWC go to an ala carte service. I won't miss the Viacom channels much. There are better things to watch. "
clinton wrote on December 31, 2008 7:09 pm:
" this is the worst thing that they could do im ferious "
Dish Network from Windstream wrote on December 31, 2008 7:09 pm:
" Come see us we have the NFL Network as well "
Who Cares wrote on December 31, 2008 7:13 pm:
" Maybe your kids should be doing their homework instead of watching tv. That way they can get a education and not end up with a minimum wage job like their parent that's whining about losing cartoons. "
Straight Thinker wrote on December 31, 2008 7:15 pm:
" Another thought.....Wait til the local channels start in on TWC...in Ohio, Dayton lost its NBC affiliate carriage on the cable due to a dispute with TWC for many months. The satellite providers did a great job and offered contract-free signups on a month to month basis...watch it happen here, too. This is a good time to ask why we haven't seen things like ATT's U-Verse or Verizon's FIOS service or even Cox or Qwest come here...now is the time for the City Council to open bids. "
Drew 2yr DirecTV wrote on December 31, 2008 7:30 pm:
" We've had DirecTV for well maybe over 1yr or so and we have some dificulties but not losing channels like this. i think that time warner cable should be fined for doing this joke. i mean a lot of people watch these 12-16 channels. "
Eric wrote on December 31, 2008 7:30 pm:
" Time Warner just wants EVERYONE to bow down & accept their offer & only their offer, like the force us customers to pay the outrageous bills. We have a 5 year who was in tears when we told her noggin could be gone from tv. When she watches tv it is always noggin she wants to watch. When you call Time Warner all they want to do is blame Viacom & vice versa. Come on less than .25 more a month they charge more than that when they feel they want to raise the rates for an "annual increase". Maybe if the employees had to pay for their service the rates could go down. Calling TWC today to check the status all you get is rude reps who can't & don't know how to handle upset customer. Like I advised TWC well switch to dish it they don't work it out with Viacom. "
Been without cable for 7 years wrote on December 31, 2008 7:38 pm:
" All of you people make me laugh. You all do realize you can get digital feeds of the exact same channels you pay to watch for free over the internet right? I'm not just talking about the episodes online but I mean actual live feeds of live channels. Do some research like I did and leave this never ending war price war to the dopes who want to pay an extra 100 dollars a month for something you can get for a 50 dollar a month connection or less depending on the provider. Don't get scammed by these people anymore. Educate your self and actually utilize that 6 to 7mbps download you pay for. Why pay double for something when you can already get it via the internet? It never ceases to amaze me how much extra people are willing to pay to live in ignorance simply because they are lazy or just plain stupid. "
Hve a clue wrote on December 31, 2008 7:43 pm:
" If this town had more than one cable company this would not happen.
Didnt my cable bill just go up? And yes I will be switching "
Thank you Netflix Xbox live and Over the air HD wrote on December 31, 2008 8:14 pm:
" So what? My wife and I have DirecTV currently, and get frustrated when it goes out during a severe storm (when you REALLY want to have it), or when we have to go out and scrape the snow/ice off the dish. I've had DTV for four years now because I dislike TWC's practices, and this only furthers it.

We were going to get basic TWC when we moved, but this removed the reason for it. Now I'm going to put up a nice high gain HD antenna on our new home for the locals and PBS (GREAT kids programming, by the way, our kids LOVE it). The kids got a Xbox 360 for Christmas, and we discovered the Netflix streaming to it - which is amazing.

So for about $200 for a nice HD antenna, then $49/yr for Xbox live, and $8/mo for Netflix we have an excellent entertainment system.

It's sad that cable companies are going to make themselves extinct, but look at what is happening to telephone companies?

Adapt or die! "
boo hoo wrote on December 31, 2008 8:15 pm:
" Boo Hoo. You are all still TWC customers after the problems they had serving their customers a year ago, (remember all the problems they had with the new software they installed.) And here you are again back in the middle of a customer service problem again. You didn't learn then, and you won't learn now. You can come in here and cry all you want, but they won't care until you actually do something about it. Well I'm gonna get back to the KU/Minnesota game on the NFL Network. Have fun with TWC!!! "
AnnTWC wrote on December 31, 2008 8:31 pm:
" FYI- TWC has a website at www.twcfacts.com that has up-to-date news and information. You can also voice your opinion on the site, or sign up for email alerts about the MTV negotiations. "
RB wrote on December 31, 2008 8:35 pm:
" Good. Get the kids outside playing or doing something together. plopping down in front of the tv is what is bring our society down. how about making friends, studying, playing outside, playing board games, using your imagination. The best thing for Lincoln would be if the TV would stop. it would get people out of their sofas. "
ururpast wrote on December 31, 2008 9:03 pm:
" Why couldn't this happen to our satellite subscription? I would smile forever just to know that MTV and VH1 were not coming uninvited into my home! "
nemo wrote on December 31, 2008 9:06 pm:
" I too, get sick of dishers and directtvers bragging about their satellite tv. It does go out in heavy rainstorms, their customer service stinks just like the cable companies and there are hidden fees all over the place with them, more for every tv, every local channel, every dvr. You end up paying just as much for the same crud. If it wasn't for espn, usa and discovery I'd drop time warner like the proverbial hot potato. And some posters are correct, I miss my favorite shows, I watch them online. In Seward, we pay $65 for the first 80 or so channels, I know Lincoln is even more. "
great wrote on December 31, 2008 9:22 pm:
" go ahead and cancel them , we don't need them "
breach of contract wrote on December 31, 2008 9:35 pm:
" i just signed up for twc two year lock for the set of channels available at the time. if we lose them is that a breach of contract? "
HPG wrote on December 31, 2008 10:02 pm:
" I'm with Kevin. I have been TV free for a year and ahlaf now and am a better person for it.
There is a reason why they call it the "boob tube." "
jess wrote on December 31, 2008 10:03 pm:
" I can see this as upsetting but maybe it will give families a chance to have family time together that doesn't involve tv. or how about not having children watch tv for awhile; even the pediatric association says tv watching isn't good especially under the age of 3. use your imagination and enjoy time together "
Hamon Righ wrote on December 31, 2008 10:06 pm:
" It's just TV kids. Get over it. For the parents complaining, "But my kids watch..." this or that, pick up a book and read to them. Spend time with them. Do anything except relying on a stupid box to raise your little darlings. My God, what ever did we do for the 6,000 years or so prior to to Nickolodeon????? "
ellfie wrote on December 31, 2008 10:19 pm:
" Havent watched any of the affected channels for years..Couldnt care less if Time Warner drops them. Quit watching them years ago. Good riddance "
To Time Warner... wrote on December 31, 2008 10:37 pm:
" This is the last straw for me. I called to get assistance with my high speed computer and found the answer from a foreigner, in a non-US territory. This was at 8 a.m. on a Saturday a.m. Since you take Lincoln's money, send it overseas, didn't hire me when I was MORE THAN qualified when I needed a job in the worst way, being a single mom, I am more than fed up.

Outsourcing jobs, getting rid of the Colbert Report, when it's one of the only five stations I watch... well, it's time to move on. Maybe some people don't mind losing comedy central. I get 78 stations, and only watch 5.

I'm done. Time to go shopping and get a better deal while I am at it. "
JT wrote on December 31, 2008 11:30 pm:
" Last straw TWC, I'm switching to dish when I get back from the Gator Bowl. "
Breach wrote on December 31, 2008 11:30 pm:
" Technically yes, it is breach of contract. Let's see you afford a better team of lawyers than they have though. "
Hey Ann S. wrote on December 31, 2008 11:47 pm:
" What does it take to get TWC to understand that they have a HUGE public relations problem in this city? Hey, we the public have HAD IT with "just because" price increases, bad DVR's, and so forth. You need competition big time. TWC knows, without question that they would lower their price and have to provide better service if there were more competition. Until then, try to keep sticking it to the man, however it has become clear that the public has come out swinging and we the public will stick it to you! "
AnnTWC wrote on December 31, 2008 11:59 pm:
" TWC and MTV Networks have just reached an agreement and MTV will not be pulling its channels from the TWC lineup. Happy New Year, everyone! "
Really wrote on January 1, 2009 7:59 am:
" I'm laughing at all these so-called "parents" who are writing that their 2 year old will be upset if they lose a channel. Really? If you put something else in front of a 2-year-old (or GASP! Maybe try reading to them???), they'll forget all about Noggin or whatever else you had before. You're the one making it a big deal for them.

I can't believe all these folks paying $130+ a month for TV. And then you admit to only watching a handful of channels! Getting rid of cable/satellite TV all together is an option, you know. The world won't end without it. "
Just wrong wrote on January 1, 2009 8:40 am:
" What irks me is having to pay for the hispanic channels as part of a package. Why? It's America! Make them learn English!! "
Stupid is as Stupid Does wrote on January 1, 2009 9:08 am:
" Amazing! The same people that whine every year about their cable increase are now whining when TWC is trying to keep down their costs.

I find it incredible that you've allowed shysters like Viacom to make TWC out to be the bad guy here.

As far as satellite? Fuggitaboutit. TWC 80 basic channels are better than both Dish companies 250 channel pkg...just compare them for once. "
Direct tv wrote on January 1, 2009 9:10 am:
" Whatever. Two weeks ago I saw a 70 yr old lady up on a ladder trying to sweep the snow from her dish. If you enjoy headaches, go with satellite. "
Road Runner wrote on January 1, 2009 9:12 am:
" If you called for High Speed Internet support and got a foreigner, you called Road Runner.

Call TWC next time! "
NFL Network wrote on January 1, 2009 9:14 am:
" The NFL network would be nice to have if you enjoy paying for 10 months of reruns. They too are overpriced just like Viacom. "
Real High Speed wrote on January 1, 2009 9:17 am:
" Comparing Winstream internet with TWC is an absolute joke. Road Runner dwarfs the phone companies service. I've had them both. "
CS wrote on January 1, 2009 12:07 pm:
" My kids watch Nick, Science, Discovery, TLC, and many other channels, which is better than the homework that they don't bring home from school, ever, since they don't get any. I also am far from a 'minimum wage job'. As far as Dish going out, well, we have what-2-3 'Severe' storms a year? Wahh....I watched radar coverage of all of them on tv this summer, so maybe you need to re align your dish or signal, which you can have them do or you can calibrate from the menu. Do you not maintain your own computer and call MS when it breaks, too? I also pay less for more, so Im not sure where some of the math is coming from. Are you paying for extra boxes? Well, duh, they are going to charge you for that. Movie channels? Yup, what did you expect? "
Dale wrote on January 1, 2009 12:25 pm:
" I would like to see Time Warner come up with a plan that would allow my family to pick a bank of channels that our family watches. There is so much out there that my family does not watch. Why should I pay for a few hundred channels to get all that we watch-- when a bank of about 25 channels will suffice. "
Stop Playing Games wrote on January 1, 2009 1:25 pm:
" Both of these companies need to apologize to "US" the customers for playing this game and preying on us New Year's Eve. When there were a number of other things to do and worry about many fell prey to Viacom's and TWC so called sense of urgency call now, do this now you are going to loose this. What would have been better is if we could have found this out a month ago both parties express they are working on something instead of making their own headlines. I have TWC and I'm like many others have it because my choices are limited Dish not ideal but because you're the only one doesn't mean you can Bully everyone else. In these time people have new resources that don't make you the only shinny toy we can play with. Stop playing games be open and honest and treat us (customers) with some respect. "
Roger wrote on January 1, 2009 1:27 pm:
" Hey Bob, so who cares what it is it is not a good CHANNEL anyways. SO go away "
natalie wrote on January 1, 2009 3:32 pm:
" Cable companies make a LOAD of profit from their customers - the actual price they pay for the content they carry is FAR CHEAPER than the exorbitant rates they charge. Viacom asking for more from TWC and Bright House in no way absolutely means rates would have to go up to cover those costs. Time Warner only says so as an excuse to maintain those cushy profit margins. Goodness knows they don't use that money for infrastructure upgrades or increasing accessibility. "
PT wrote on January 1, 2009 8:59 pm:
" There needs to be competition in Lincoln. Like everything else in this
town, its all dictated, theres no competition, that way the city's
"friends" can charge the heck out of you and your stuck. This is the
way Lincoln always operates! Thats why gas is higher than anywhere else
in the state. Even food, at one Hy Vee bananas will be .54 cents a lb.
and drive down the street to another Hy Vee and they will be .69 cents a
lb. I've never lived in such a crooked town in all my life. I have
NO respect or trust for anyone in this town. They are ALL out for your
last drop of blood!! "
Mark wrote on January 1, 2009 9:00 pm:
" The aricle said T/W serves 110,000 homes. At an average of just $50 a month, that's $5.5 million dollars they rake in..every month. And T/W is crying about some nickle and dime rate increase. They'll pass it onto they're customers, as usual. "
Cry wrote on January 1, 2009 11:15 pm:
" Yeah lets cry about not having certain channels and not being able to sit your child in front of the TV to entertain them for hours on end. Get a life people. Not having certain channels is not the end of the world!!! Entertain yourselves by doing something better with your life. Get outside. Volunteer. Do housework. There are better things you could be doing than crying about not having Spongebob for your child. There are bigger issues that you should be more concerned about! "
Ho Hum.... wrote on January 2, 2009 4:44 pm:
" Even though it's not that much of a raise to our bill, we still have a contract with TWC with a specific amount. So are they going to raise our bill even though we have a contract with them for our digital phone, internet and cable? Yeah, I can pay the extra .25 cents or whatever extra per month, it's just that I have a contract with them and this better be the last time they change the rates otherwise I will switch to a different company because they breeched the contract. "
CS wrote on January 2, 2009 6:12 pm:
" Thank you all for telling me how to spend my money and free time. I appreciate being 32 and middle class and still being babied by pseudo parents in Lincoln. Please, also tell me how to eat, what do dress my kids in for school, and with whom to associate. Who says Lincoln isn't easy to live in? "

Ads by Yahoo!