Credit: Fox 8
About six million Spectrum Cable subscribers are without Fox 8 as of yesterday evening after the channel’s owner, Tribune Broadcasting, and the cable company failed to reach an agreement on fees as the previous contract expired.

Whose fault is it? Everyone’s, it sounds like, depending on which side of the bargaining table you’re on.

Instead of the usual broadcast, Spectrum used the channel to let viewers know, “the owner of this Fox channel has removed their programming to create hardship for our customers, while we are negotiating in good faith to reach a fair agreement,” according to the Akron Beacon Journal.

Meanwhile, a special link on Fox 8’s website leads to this message:

We sincerely regret that Spectrum has forced Fox 8 off your cable package, and we share your frustration. Our parent company Tribune Media worked diligently to prevent this interruption, and their work continues to ensure the return of Fox 8 as soon as possible . . . but this also requires Spectrum to work just as hard.

“We’re extremely disappointed that we do not have an agreement on the renewal of our contract with Spectrum,” said Gary Weitman, Tribune Media’s senior vice president for corporate relations. “We’ve offered Spectrum fair market rates for our top-rated local news, live sports and high-quality entertainment programming, and similarly fair rates for our cable network, WGN America. Spectrum has refused our offer and failed to negotiate in a meaningful fashion.”

You pay Spectrum to see Fox 8, and you should not have to endure this interruption. 

While the absence of Kickin’ it with Kenny is enough to make anyone beg for the adults in the room to resolve the situation pronto, there’s also the little matter of the NFL playoffs this weekend, which might also be a concern for one or maybe two people if this stalemate continues.

This article appears in Jan 2-8, 2019.

Vince Grzegorek has been with Scene since 2007 and editor-in-chief since 2012. He previously worked at Discount Drug Mart and Texas Roadhouse.

9 replies on “Spectrum Cable Pulls Fox 8 From Channel Lineup Over Contract Squabble”

  1. Cut the cord. Switch to Hulu with Live TV. You get all our local affiliates and all our local sports channels plus lots more. Much cheaper too. We have not missed cable one bit.

  2. These asshats pull this crap this somewhere every year…and have their multi-million-dollar pissing contests while Joe and Jane Sixpack are the ones who get pissed on…and pissed off…and held hostage.

    This same bullshit happened to U-verse subscribers a while ago, and they had to endure it for a couple of weeks. It’s outrageous behavior, but viewers can’t do a damn thing about it. Money talks while you and I get kicked in the ass, over and over and over and…

  4. we too have lost several channels due to TRIBUNE deciding they want more money…more money than what most of their programming is worth. The stupid CAPSHA wot load…Did TRIBUNE disable it too???

  5. Glad I dumped Spectrum in favor of youtube a while back. Maybe they could afford Fox if they dumped some of the 700 channels no one watches?

  6. Greedy bastards! Our cable bill is high enough. What do you think would happen if spectrum gives in to the higher price demands? The consumer gets the increase. Good bye fox 8!

  7. Spectrum is getting too big for their own good. Season 5 of one of my favorite shows was suppose to premiere On Thursday. WTF is your problem Spectrum and FOX. Total disregard for your loyal customers. Glad I don’t watch Fox News or Weather. Channel 3 WKYC is so much better !

  8. Tribune Communications stopped providing broadcasting to Spectrum.. Spectrum didnt stop broadcasting..Get it right..

  9. What’s funny is rumor has it spectrum will be temporary switching the fox affiliate shown in the Cleveland area temporarily to the Toledo fox affiliate (not Tribune owned) so people can still watch NFL and shows.. we’ll see I guess

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