Roll Over or Get Tough? My choice is for Time Warner Cable is to Get Tough on Itself!

Time Warner Cable, my local (and only cable) provider is in contract negotiations with several TV networks for programming.  Time Warner (TWC) states on their "Roll Over or Get Tough" website, that some of these networks are demanding increases of up to 300%.   They are asking customers to tell them if they should "Roll Over" and accept the increases or "Get Tough".  Not surprising, rolling over means price increases to the customer and the potential of losing favorite shows (although if TWC 'rolls over', why would the shows go away?).  Equally not surprising, the website encourages the "Get Tough" option, even when you choose "Roll Over".

Without knowing what channels are involved or what a 300% increase really means, I can't voice an opinion on whether TWC should get tough, roll over or even sit and stay.  Perhaps the 300% increase brings those particular networks into alignment with what other networks are already charging.  Maybe the current contracts with these networks unfairly favor TWC.  Maybe these networks have really improved their programming and the shows are more costly to produce.  TWC doesn't tell us any rationale for the increases (other than price-gouging) nor do they indicate what shows may be involved.

As a customer, I don't really care what TWC has to pay to its program providers. TWC's sole purpose is negotiate with said providers and deliver a programming package that is attractive to the consumer.    I don't like that TWC is dragging its customers into this by threatening them with price increases or loss of favorite shows.  On the "Roll Over or Get Tough" website, TWC declares that these TV networks are being unfair, especially in today's economy, and will hold our TVs hostage.   Actually, TWC is the one holding us hostage.  Why should TWC automatically pass the increases on to us?   If they feel that, in this economy, customers can't or won't pay more, then TWC needs to look at ways to become more efficient and to reduce their own overhead.  One way would be to stop producing and mailing the monthly channel guide. It serves no purpose when a searchable program guide is located right on the television! And the same information can be found for free in the local newspaper or on the internet. TWC could stop being redundant and at the same time,  use that reduction to offset increased programming costs.

Another way to reduce overhead would be to cut back on TWC's media budget.  It seems that TWC often runs public (and expensive) campaigns against the TV networks whenever the TV networks want to change the status quo. TWC did this with the Big Ten Network a few years ago. They certainly could save a lot of money on advertising if they stopped this behavior.


If it weren't for the fact that TWC faces little or no market competition , they would not be able to use us, their customers, as a club to bully the TV networks into doing their bidding.  It's a win-win for TWC....either the TV networks roll over or TWC gets tough on its current customers. 

So, Time Warner Cable, my opinion is for you to get tough, quit whining about the cost of doing business, and expend some of that energy at trying to improve your costs, your service and your relationshiop with your customers.  Or we will be rolling (our mouses) over our web browsers to watch our favorite programs on-line.

Amy