It's a Thin Line...

I have a love/hate relationship with Time Warner Cable--well, really more of a hate relationship ever since they tricked me into replacing my perfectly good cable box with the more expensive digital upgrade, claiming it was necessary for the digital conversion when it really wasn't. (Love: 0 ; hate: 1)

Then again, in my 15 years as an internet subscriber, Time Warner Cable is the only provider that has given me consistent and reliable internet access. The ONLY one. And so, because the internet is like a second source of oxygen for me, I have no choice but to love Time Warner Cable, at least a little, for keeping the supply streaming in. (But I HATE having to do this! So, love: 1 ; hate: 2)

I guess I'm not the only one with this frienemy relationship with Time Warner Cable. Apparently, the company just settled a dispute with News Corp. that narrowly thwarted disruption of FOX programming on New Years Day. As it turns out, News Corp. wanted to charge $1 per subscriber for FOX programming or they would threaten to take their shows off the air starting Jan. 1.

I normally stay out of grown folks' business, but I'm gonna have to side with Time Warner on this one. I hate FOX Network and everything it stands for. I'll be damned if I'm gonna pay a dollar a month more for programming I think should be off the air anyway. With the exception of "The Simpsons" and a few others, the nation would be much better off without FOX programming--and that includes their football broadcasts, American Idol, and that joke of a news network they have. Time Warner's willingness to stand their ground against News Corp's ridiculous demands gets 2 thumbs up from me. Bravo! (Love: 2 ; hate: 2)

But now that I re-read the letter, I only see that the deal has staved off disruption in programming. It says nothing about preventing price hikes. It claims that Time Warner Cable is aware of customers' concerns with fee increases, but neglects to mention if they've actually succeeded in keeping prices at bay. Hmm... That letter is looking more and more suspicious with each rereading. Drat! (Love: 2 ; hate: 3)

Yeah, I hate 'em...