Time Warner Cable May Drop Fox's Signal

Fox viewers who receive their programming from Time Warner may soon be watching something new in place of 'American Idol' and 'Fringe:' a blank screen.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Fox has announced that negotiations with Time Warner are on the verge of collapse, which could lead to the network being dropped from Time Warner's service altogether. Should that occur, some 14 million customers would be affected.Fox viewers who receive their programming from Time Warner may soon be watching something new in place of 'American Idol' and 'Fringe:' a blank screen.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Fox has announced that negotiations with Time Warner Cable are on the verge of collapse, which could lead to the network being dropped from Time Warner's service altogether. Should that occur, some 14 million customers would be affected.

Fox, of course, has come on strong in recent years, overtaking venerable networks like NBC to become arguably the most popular programming provider in the nation, especially among the key 18-49 demographic. The loss of Fox from Time Warner's cable service could potentially be a major blow to both parties, as it would prevent millions of fans from watching such hit shows as 'House,' 'Glee,' '24,' 'Family Guy,' 'The Simpsons,' 'The Cleveland Show' and 'Lie to Me,' in addition to 'Fringe' and 'American Idol,' the country's most popular show.

Besides potentially leading to a drop in ratings for the network, the blackout could also prompt viewers to switch cable providers, making this essentially a lose-lose situation. In light of that fact, it would seem unlikely that either side would allow negotiations to collapse.

Yet Fox insists that there is a "very likely possibility that Time Warner Cable may choose to no longer carry Fox Broadcasting, Fox Cable and Fox regional sports programming." And though their statement may simply be a negotiating ploy by Fox, there is historical evidence to back up their fears; in 2000, Time Warner and Disney similarly came to loggerheads, which led to a blackout of Disney-owned ABC. In it's place, Time Warner instead aired a banner proclaiming that "Disney has taken ABC away from you."

Whether such bitter propaganda would be tolerated by subscribers anticipating the return of beloved shows like 'American Idol,' however, remains to be seen. Because if Fox and Time Warner allow their deal to fall through, there's no doubt who the biggest losers of all will be: the television viewing public.