Politicians have started to weigh in. Representative Steve Israel, a New York Democrat, has called for a 30-day "cooling off period," so a deal could be reached. Time Warner has stated that it would be fine with an interim deal. However, Fox is holding firm, stating that it would not accept an interim deal at all.
Time Warner Cable also made an offer for binding arbitration from the FCC, but Fox declined that as well. The offer was made by Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Communication, Technology and the Internet.
A Time Warner Cable spokeswoman said "we've offered reasonable compensation, agreed to carry Fox while we work out a deal, and agreed to binding arbitration. We've done everything we can to reach a fair agreement."
All I can personally say is "hmmmmm." First, African Americans have long been offended by the programming on Fox News, which is hardly considered a serious news organization anymore. Secondly, I must confess that it does appear that Fox has the upper hand in these negotiations. Most of the offers being made by Time Warner and the Federal Government are getting rebuffed by Fox, which implies that they are ready to take their programming elsewhere.
Finally, it should be noted that stalemates like this are not uncommon. The same situation occurred last year between Time Warner Cable and Viacom, who owns MTV and Vh-1. Additionally, not making a deal would cause both sides to lose dearly. Time Warner might lose subscribers because Fox owns the rights to NFL Football, "House" and "American Idol." At the same time, Fox would lose millions of viewers for its programs, which would definitely upset its advertisers. This battle for media turf is effectively the result of a decline in ad revenue, due to the fragmentation of media outlets. As more channels and entertainments options come into existence, financial power is not held by just a few companies anymore. As ad revenue drops for these networks, they are looking to cable subscribers to help fill the gap. That gap is not likely to be filled, which is why I sold my stock in the industry earlier this year.
It should be interesting to see how this ends. Will Fox be taken off the air for good? We can only dare to dream.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Professor at Syracuse University and founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
Comments: (22)
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By: Ed on 1/02/2010 4:34PM
It's not the Fox New Channel that is at issue. That's a separate contract. It's Fox broadcast channel. Want to watch House, Fringe, or 24? That's about all I'd miss, and there are other sources.
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By: Love on 1/02/2010 4:38AM
I do watch Fox6 (have for years) and honestly I thought it was just me. I thought I was one who saw some appearing to be racist ways of the network. 1)No one addresses MR.PRESIDENT OBAMA as President but Obama 2)Comments that blame MR. PRESIDENT OBAMA for the finacial difficulties that he can not magically make disappear when for 8 years someone else caused them 3) Negatively commenting on incentives/ cash for clunkers/ tax breaks affecting the rich when there were deals put together by W specifically for the rich and banking industry. I have always been told that actions speak louder that words and the camera do not fabricate anything. Doug L. when you speak of MR. PRESIDENT OBAMA your facial expression is ALWAYS displaying a very ugly demenor. No matter what you think or feel of MR. PRESIDENT OBAMA you are reporting a story which does not call for your opinion. I think this is really sad. I would not care if an orange, green, purple and blue democrat, republican was in office that took two baby steps away from the situation W has gotten this world in I would be satisfied to see some sort of change. Come on people we dont have to live in the same house with each other, but we do have to live in this world together so if we plan on making it somewhat habitable for our children and grandchildren we will have to learn to get along. There is one thing we will never be able to do in this or any lifetime and that is TO MAKE IT ALL ALONE. Let try and do it together. I PROMISE it would make this world a better place. Happy New Year.
Love in 2010
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By: D on 1/03/2010 6:15PM
I like this comment so much truth in it, Let them go who will miss them.
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By: PBR on 1/02/2010 10:19AM
Wonderful! :-)
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By: Elrancho2 on 1/02/2010 12:06PM
Fox News going off the air would be the best possible thing to happen to America. Fox is nothing but a fear merchant and propaganda machine for the right-wing and they display their contempt for the American people by treating them as though they are absolute idiots.
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By: mike on 1/02/2010 4:11PM
Maurice, BET or the Wendie Willaims show may be what you should be watching my brother.
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By: millie on 1/06/2010 12:59PM
Let Fox go. They are Racist people who say Racist things. I do not care if I do not hear or see Fox again.
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By: kingdavidlives on 1/04/2010 1:43PM
I used to listen to fox radio sometimes. That was before Barack Obama decided to run for President. After he announced he was running, their true colors were revealed.
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By: Rob on 1/04/2010 6:49PM
You folks are as misguided as you can possibly be. You keep referring to Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly as "reporters" and their shows as "news." You couldn't be any more wrong. They're not "news shows," they're "entertainment shows." I've watched Olbermann's show and he offends me with his blatant twisting of the truth. But guess what: I don't sit and ***** about it - I just don't watch.
Don't make the mistake of thinking O'Reilly and Beck are news reporters - they're not. They're analyst.
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By: alan on 1/04/2010 7:19PM
They're idiots...an insult to my intelligence.
Pure fiction
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