Time Warner Cable Takes Firm Stance on Carriage Deals

With a handful of carriage deals set to expire at the end of the year, Time Warner Cable has launched a preemptive strike against programmers who may be looking to jack up their affiliate fees. The cable operator on Wednesday unveiled RollOverOrGetTough.com, a site that will allow subscribers to weigh in on increasing programming costs. On the home page, users are prompted to click on one of two icons: a "rewind" button that indicates Time Warner should "roll over" on network demand, or a "fast-forward" button that allows customers to add their two cents to the debate. It's not a subtle distinction that's being made here. Those who click on the retrograde icon are warned that "massive price increases -- up to 300% -- are impossible for us to absorb without passing on some of that cost to you." Time Warner Cable adds that programmers who don't secure their carriage hikes "are threatening to pull the plug on your favorite shows."