TV Network Dispute Could Affect WWE SmackDown!

Though most observers assume an agreement will be reached in some capacity, as of press time, FOX and Time Warner Cable have yet to resolve their dispute ahead of Thursday’s retransmission deadline.

If FOX and Time Warner Cable cannot iron out a renewed deal, FOX’s owned and operated networks, as well as FOX-owned cable channels, will go dark for Time Warner subscribers at midnight on January 1, 2010.

The bulk of the parties’ dispute comes down to the retransmission consent fee, with FOX looking for Time Warner Cable to pay $1 per subscriber each month. An increase from the current deal, FOX argues that the hike is necessary to reflect rising network costs.

Time Warner Cable has been maintaining its ground against such an increase, noting in its PR campaigns that meeting such a demand would likely result in price increases for cable subscribers. FOX has used the threat of losing programs like NFL, “House,” “24″ and “American Idol” in its own campaigns, urging Time Warner users to put pressure on their cable company and/or consider options like satellite.

If negotiations go past January 1, Time Warner would need permission from FOX (likely in the form of an interim deal) to prevent the channels from going dark.

Without a deal by Friday, Time Warner Cable subscribers would lose access to FOX-owned cable stations and broadcasts; that means stations for FOX, My Network TV (including WWE SmackDown!) and cablers like FX and Fuel TV would be unavailable for cable subscribers in some of America’s largest markets.