Time Warner Calls for 'Cooling-Off' Period Before Fox Pulls Programming

Fox could pull programming for millions after midnight tonight.

ByABC News
December 29, 2009, 11:45 AM

Dec. 31, 2009 — -- Time Warner Cable today called on Fox to agree to a 30-day "cooling-off" period as the two media giants go down to the wire in negotiations on broadcast fees that could affect millions of cable TV subscribers.

Fox parent News Corp. has threatened to pull its content from Time Warner Cable customers, including hit shows such as "American Idol," "House" and the NFL playoffs, if the two sides don't reach a new agreement by midnight tonight.

A News Corp. spokeswoman said the company had no comment on the "cooling-off" period request, which was initially proposed by Congressman Steve Israel, D-N.Y.

In a statement released today accepting Israel's proposal, Time Warner Cable, the No. 2 U.S. cable operator with 13 million subscribers, said customers shouldn't be caught in the middle of negotiations.

"Time Warner Cable accepts the Congressman's proposal and urges Fox to do the same. 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," Time Warner Cable spokesman Alex Dudley said in the statement.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski has also urged the two companies to extend their negotiating deadline, noting, in particular, the hardships faced by football fans. Fox is slated to air the Sugar Bowl, featuring the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Florida Gators, Friday night.

"Companies shouldn't force cable-watching football fans to scramble for other means of TV delivery on New Year's weekend," Genachowski said.

Two Gators fans this week asked a Florida court to issue an injunction forcing Fox to broadcast the Sugar Bowl regardless of whether a Time Warner deal was reached, but a judge today denied that request.

News Corp. reportedly asked for an increase of $1 per month per subscriber, which would hit Time Warner Cable with a $13 million monthly rate hike.

News Corp. CEO Chase Carey sent a memo to his staff on Thursday indicating little hope that a deal will be reached.

"At this time, it looks like we will not reach an agreement and our channels may very well go off the air," Carey wrote in the memo.