Get The Facts About WSOC And WAXN’s Status With Time Warner Cable

Frequently Asked Questions

Will WSOC-TV and WAXN-TV stop broadcasting? No. WSOC-TV WAXN-TV will continue broadcasting two full power signals.

Why is this happening? Time Warner Cable’s long-term carriage agreement for WSOC-TV and WAXN-TV expires on April 1st. To avoid the loss of WSOC-TV and WAXN-TV on Time Warner Cable, several proposals were submitted to the cable operator this year. Last week, Time Warner reported that it was rejecting those proposals.

Is WSOC-TV and WAXN-TV really asking for a fee that is 5 times more than other TV stations currently receive from Time Warner Cable? No, while the agreements between TV stations and cable operators are confidential, it has been published that LIN TV reached an agreement in October 2008 with Time Warner cable asking for 30 cents per subscriber. WSOC-TV and WAXN-TV are seeking considerably less than 30 cents per subscriber for both stations combined.

We have been successful in reaching mutually acceptable agreements with all other cable operators. The fee we are asking from Time Warner Cable is no more than what we have received from all other cable operators in our viewing area. While we are hopeful that we can resolve the issue with Time Warner Cable before April 1st we have to recognize that there are substantial issues that still need to be addressed

How can I get WSOC-TV and WAXN-TV? There are lots of ways you can watch WSOC-TV and WAXN-TV in high definition. If you have a new digital set, it likely already is equipped with an in-set tuner that allows you to watch WSOC-TV and WAXN-TV without cable or satellite. You can also watch WSOC-TV and WAXN-TV if you sign up for one of the satellite services: DIRECTV (1-800-DIRECTV) , DISH Network (1-888-DISH-916) and AT&T Uverse. All three of these companies not only carry WSOC-TV’s standard signal in digital, they both offer High Definition boxes that, when connected to a standard antenna, will allow you to view our High Definition programming without any additional monthly charge. Alternatively, a variety of local stores that sell television and electronic equipment can help you find the perfect antenna for your home or apartment. You may be surprised at how much broadcast antennas have improved in recent years.

Will my cable bill go down without WSOC-TV? We do not have any control or input over cable rates.

Will I be able to see the NBA Playoffs? The NBA Playoffs and all the ABC programming will be broadcast as scheduled on WSOC-TV. You can enjoy it all by watching us over the air or by subscribing to satellite or AT&T Uverse services.

Does this cover all cable companies or just Time Warner? Time Warner Cable is the only cable system that may not be carrying WSOC-TV and WAXN-TV. All the other systems serving the Charlotte area will continue to carry the station.

Can I watch WSOC-TV and WAXN-TV in high definition? Yes. Both stations broadcast a full power digital signal that can be seen over the entire Charlotte market. You can receive it with a home antenna system, and your television set will display the stunning High Definition picture if it has a built-in HD tuner (available in most new digital television sets) or if it is connected to a High Definition box from DIRECTV, DISH Network or AT&T Uverse.

Is there a chance that Time Warner will change its mind and continue to carry WSOC-TV and WAXN-TV after April 1st? Certainly. WSOC-TV and WAXN-TV will continue to work hard to convince Time Warner Cable to reach a new long-term agreement that keeps WSOC-TV and WAXN-TV on its system. While Time Warner has rejected all of our many proposals so far, we are hopeful that it will agree to fair and reasonable compensation terms before April 1. Given the slow progress, however, we are not optimistic that Time Warner Cable will reach an agreement with us in time.

What happens next? WSOC-TV and WAXN-TV will continue to update this website to keep the community apprised of this situation.

Despite months of good-faith negotiations to secure a new long-term carriage agreement from Time Warner Cable, WSOC-TV and WAXN-TV may no longer be carried by Time Warner Cable systems in the Charlotte area effective at midnight on April 1, 2009. Should Time Warner not agree to renewal terms with WSOC-TV and WAXN-TV, on or after that date, Time Warner Cable customers will no longer receive ABC news, entertainment and sports programming, or WSOC’s Eyewitness News, Oprah, Dr. Phil, weather and emergency programming on their cable service.

“We have exhausted all avenues with Time Warner,” said WSOC-TV and WAXN-TV General Manager Joe Pomilla. “It is deeply unfortunate that Time Warner’s customers – and our viewers – will suffer, especially after we’ve presented multiple proposals to Time Warner throughout much of the year to prevent this scenario.”

Time Warner Cable’s long-term carriage agreement for WSOC-TV and WAXN-TV expires on April 1. To avoid the loss of WSOC-TV and WAXN-TV on Time Warner Cable, several proposals were submitted to the cable operator this year. Last week, Time Warner reported that it was rejecting those proposals.

“It’s a shame that Time Warner does not see the value in providing WSOC-TV, WAXN-TV and ABC programming to residents in Charlotte and the surrounding area. The combination of WSOC-TV and WAXN-TV are the most viewed channels on the Time Warner system and that it is indeed unfortunate that Time Warner Cable’s view of this value is so different than other cable operators in our area,” Pomilla said.

“We have been successful in reaching mutually acceptable agreements with all other cable operators. The fee we are asking from Time Warner Cable is substantially less than what other program suppliers are receiving from them. While we are hopeful that we can resolve the issue with Time Warner Cable before April 1st we have to recognize that there are substantial issues that still need to be addressed," Pomilla said.

Time Warner Cable’s apparent lack of desire to reach an agreement means that local viewers who subscribe to Time Warner will not be able to see great programs like Grey’s Anatomy, Dancing With The Stars, Channel 9 Eyewitness News, and Action News at 10 or even the upcoming NBA Playoffs. WSOC-TV, WAXN-TV and ABC, however, will continue to be available over-the-air, on DISH, on DIRECTV, AT&T Uverse and on all other cable operators in the market.

If you are a Time Warner Cable customer and would like to sign up for satellite service contact DirecTV at (888) 795-9489 or visit www.directv.com. DISH Network can be reached at (888) DISH-916 or www.dishnetwork.com.

You can contact Time Warner Cable by calling (704) 377-9600. You can also use their live chat at www.twcarolina. Click on "Support" at the top of the page and then click "Live Support Chat" at the right side of the support page.