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Time Warner Pulls CBS Stations in New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas

August 2, 2013

CBS Time Warner off the air

By Paul Thomson :: 6:51 PM

The war between cable television provider Time Warner and CBS television networks intensified on Friday evening as the cable provider yanked CBS stations off the air in three major U.S. cities – New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas.

The event marks broken down negotiations between the two entities over broadcast and retransmission rights in all markets. The action killed CBS stations in those three major markets as well as a handful of other markets across the country, and also darkened Showtime and other CBS cable affiliate channels systemwide on Time Warner.

CBS issued a statement about Time Warner’s actions shortly after 5:00 PM:

“We deeply regret this ill-advised action, which is injurious not only to our many affected viewers, but also to Time Warner Cable itself. Throughout this process, Time Warner Cable has conducted negotiations in a combative and non-productive spirit, indulging in pointless brinksmanship and distorted public positioning.”

In addition to Showtime, other CBS stations, like The Movie Channel, Flix and the Smithsonian Channel are also off the air in most, if not all Time Warner markets.

The two sides appear to be at an impasse.

“CBS has refused to have a productive discussion,” read a statement from Time Warner. “It’s become clear that no matter how much time we give them, they’re not willing to come to reasonable terms.“

In addition to Time Warner subscribers, the blackout also affects many customers who use Bright House Networks for their cable service. That provider had an agreement with Time Warner to piggyback service in some markets.

The CBS Sports Channel still remains on the air on Time Warner networks, and is not affected by this current round of contract negotiations.

Television analysis pointed out that CBS has more leverage in the battle than Time Warner does, but Time Warner won’t feel customer pressure to get the network back on the air until the fall TV season and the NFL 2013-2014 season kick off.

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