Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Time Warner, Fox Squabble Up Till Midnight Deadline
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 31, 2009
Modified Dec 31, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 31, 2009
Modified Dec 31, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Fox says it's ready to pull its stations from Time Warner Cable lineups at midnight in its dispute with the cable operator over subscriber fees. News Corp president and COO Chase Carey wrote in a memo to staffers, "it looks like we will not reach an agreement and our channels may very well go off the air in Time Warner Cable systems at midnight [Dec. 31]," putting the 2010 fate of shows like American Idol, House and 24, not to mention sports programming like the Sugar Bowl, in jeopardy.
News Corp. wants to be paid $1 per subscriber, while TWC only wants to pay 30 cents per subscriber—and doesn't want to set a $1/subscriber precedent with ABC, NBC or CBS. TWC chairman Glenn Britt said it would agree to binding arbitration, "We continue to hope that Fox won't punish our customers by taking their programming away while we continue to negotiate," but News Corp has refused; the Daily News reports that Carey "[said] it would only allow the cable company to reap more profits from Fox programming."
TWC claims it'll have to pass the costs to the customers, but News Corp says that's "disingenuous." The latest is that Time Warner Cable has agreed to a 30-day cooling off period and News Corp. is being urged to do the same. TWC's latest statement: "Our customers should not be held hostage over a business negotiation and we implore Fox to not make America's living rooms a corporate battleground."
Tagged
business
fox
news corp
subscriber fee
time warner cable
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .