Discontinuing Raycom Channels (KOLD and ME TV)

You realize that Raycom is asking for a 250% increase in the amount Cox pays to carry KOLD, don't you? So technically, Cox isn't dropping KOLD. Raycom is withdrawing KOLD because Cox will not pay a 250% increase in KOLD's carriage fees.

Why is it that customers cry bloody murder whenever a cable company raises its rates, but sides with the programmer (KOLD) when it comes to raising its rates?

http://azstarnet.com/news/blogs/northwestnews/kold-cox-joust-over-carriage-contract/article_b07766f0-538a-11e2-90bb-001a4bcf887a.html

I totally agree with you, Lv2bRomanced. I also will be looking for a new service if Cox cannot provide me with my favorite Wafb-tv station.  Why wait till the last minute for negotiations? Didn't this happen once before? I think I will be searching u-verse.

tv.viewer

Lucky for us in Ascension parish we have a choice of going with Eatel.  I've already started researching to see what bundle I wanted with them because I felt sure this would not be resolved.  I just got my bill and I didn't pay it right away because I knew this would happen.  We already have our phone with Eatel so they can have our Cable & Internet too.   While I understand it's not Cox's fault that Raycom is holding them hostage we have several shows on CBS that both my husband and I enjoy.   I have been a loyal Cox customer for over 34 years way back in the day when they were Cablevision. 

The only problem is who is to say this won't happen to Eatel or Dish Network when their contract with Raycom expires.  On Cox's site they say, and I quote, "These channels are withholding programming because Cox won’t give RAYCOM a price increase that’s 220% higher than what Cox already is already paying for programming that is otherwise available for free over the air!"

So I have questions:

1) If they pay the increase that Raycom is asking for how much will my bill go up?

2) Is there another CBS station Cox can offer instead of WAFB here in the Baton Rouge area?

Personally I really don't care if they carry the local news at all.  I only care about my CBS series that we enjoy.

@Lv2bRomanced

Cox IS putting customers first with these negotiations. Raycom wants 250% increase over what Cox already is paying them. What companyes do you do business with you'd give a 250% increase to? 

If Cox agrees to that rate, it sets a whole new market average which means when Dish or ATT have to negotiate, that's the avg number Raycom can use for them too. I watch the network shows online (cbs.com, etc.) anyway. The local news is garbarge.

Oh Cox doesn't like a network doing to them what they do to their customers? Cox is my only option for cable internet so they hold the monopoly in my area and I'm left with little option. Because there are so many people in my position, they can overcharge their customers. Since Cox can't go elsewhere for the programming, Raycom can do to Cox what Cox likes to do to me. Cox has yet to think about their customers first,, you've got to be kidding. I'll be glad to see more competition in the cable arena, it will certainly make things more fair for the customer.

Hi BayouBelle.To help, CBS Primetime programming is available for free on www.cbs.com. We can’t disclose the specifics of the negotiations, but RAYCOM is demanding a price increase that’s 250% higher than what we’re currently paying (for programming that’s free over the air.) We’re committed to providing great value to our customers. We’re working hard, and negotiating on our customer’s behalf to get the channel back at a reasonable price.

Perhaps you could give your consumers a bit of leverage to help and provide a venue for our complaints to get straight to Raycom... I would much rather we all fill up their inbox and forums if they are the ones that can change their actions.

"normally free over the air" is a key point. I don't understand how it is actually legal for them to gouge Cox (and the subscribers) when they dont charge the general public...

I think cox should be able to absorb whatever costs! This is ridiculous! We are paying a lot of money for expanded basic and Internet along with the crappy boxes we keep getting. Our fees go up and up and we can't do anything about it because you are the only cable option we have. I have to constantly have our boxes replaced due to we get used refurbished ** and bad service. Our area can't even get new boxes that work properly, but yet we have to pay what you charge if we want service.

You say you are working for the customers? It is time your company shows that! You should be able to provide the service we pay an outrageous amount for while you negotiate with raycom. You imposed the cable box on our area for every television in our home and we had to accept it like it or not. It's time you accept what they are charging without increasing our rates, like it or not! I really hate satellite, but I'm definitely considering the option. I'm tired of being ripped off for cable and not getting the service we pay for.

Now that you all are having done to you what you do to your customers, it doesn't matter! We are the ones paying the price because as usual cox doesn't really care about the customer! It is all about the mighty buck in your pockets! I'm sure when if it comes back on, our rates will yet go up again. If it doesn't come back on, I guess that 250% increase they want would be cheaper than the 250% decrease in customers for cox. 

Try dumping some of the crappy channels you are providing to make up for the increase. Dropping a major provider is not good for business! I don't believe in inflating costs like that and understand you fighting it, but on the other hand cox does it to us all the time and as a customer we are told, " if you don't like it, too bad, that is the way it is!" No matter what, we the customer lose! You get our money, we get less service and still pay the same price. You can dump our service, but we will never see our price go down. We pay more and get less! 

I realize there will always be customers who just have to point the finger. These are the same folks who spill hot coffee on themselves and then sue the company that made the coffee, the airline that transported the coffee beans, the coffee cup makers, the owners of the water company, electric company, and possibly some neurologists for not anticipating an unsteady hand. So, this response isn't aimed at you. You've already got your plate full trying to blame everyone else for every inconvenience in your life. Carry on.

I've been a Cox customer for a long time. It's easy to say that Cox is swimming in money and can afford to do whatever they want, but that's not how it works. Unless you can account for all the behind-the-scenes and daily operating costs of a corporation, there's no possible way you can determine whether or not you're being overcharged. It's completely illogical.

Cable and Internet services are expensive. That's just the way it is. We forget that these are luxuries, not necessities.

I'm glad I have Cox instead of Comcast for several reasons, not the least of which is that I know from Cox employees that Cox puts family first in their own corporate structure, and cares about the health, welfare, and growth of its people. 

There are no victims here. Raycom made a choice, Cox made a choice, you make a choice by using the service or choosing something else.

I love Big Bang. Is it going to kill me to wait for it to be available online? I'm pretty sure I'll survive. 

Happy New Year, everyone.

I'm sorry but I have to disagree. This is a dispute between two rich companies looking for every cent they can get. It's not unlike the recent labor disputes in the NFL, NBA and NHL. The only ones being hurt by these negotiations is the customers. Yes, having cable is a luxury, but it's a luxury that I spend a lot of hard-earned money on, and one that I enjoy. The fact that Raycom was able to get their deals done with every other major cable provider is a sign that there's no good reason they can't do a deal. Everyone can throw blame at one side or another, but the truth of the matter is that they are both to blame. And I can say with certainty that if this continues on for any significant amount time, and I start missing NFL playoff games and college basketball, I will be getting a new provider.

I m missing my channel 9 like crazy but I m with cox they should hold out as long as they can, if Raycom  is asking a 250 % increase. I do not wish the price of my cable to go up anymore.

It's easy to blame the big company, but big companies are closing every day trying to give "customers" what they expect and pay the higher cost to do it.    Cox is making a stand and I'm proud of it.   Raycom is greedy....This is a free service, they make their money on advertising....Oh, What companies are going to advertise on a network that has just eliminated a huge number of viewers......CBS has a lot to lose.....Does Raycom have to answer to them?    Maybe The network is the one to show displeasure too so they can help convience Raycom to reconsider........I'm just sayin'.......I would not pay a 240% increase on anything......would you?

I am not happy with this situation at all. My Cox bill is the most expensive utility bill that we have in our home. If I subscribed for certain channels I expect to have those channels at all times. I understand that there are negotiations that have to take place and these are businesses that have to make a profit but it shouldn't be at the inconvenience of your customers. Some are saying the programming can be seen on line but when I have services that go in and out randomly when they want to (phone and internet) its difficult to watch online. There was a deadline and you would think the companies would have this settled before the deadline to avoid this situation. I don't want my bill to be increased by any more. I pay enough already but I do want this resolved as quickly as possible. Cox will lose customers and Raycom will lose viewers because of this I am sure of it. 

I agree with your statements.  I too will cancel my services with Cox after being a customer for over 15 years.

We tried an antennae and cannot get the signal for KOLD, it works on other tvs in the house , just not on our

HD TV.  This is just a disgusting move by Cox as most of the best shows on local tv are on CBS, I am furious!

I have to agree.   It seems as if money has the power and not the people.  NBC is my favorite channel, and I have been with Cox for as long as I can remember.  Is this hype so Cox can raise their rates?  I am betting this is like the "fiscal cliff"........there will be an eleventh hour resolution before to much damage is done.  Maybe the message here is to stop tuning in to TV for entertainment, and start focusing on other methods to enhance our growth and development as well as the quality of life on this planet.  I could be okay without any TV if I had too.  Give the power back to the people, and put the "almighty" dollar in it's proper place!