Other Options Exist for WSB, ABC Programming

Charter cable television customers who will be without WSB-TV programming for an indefinite period in 2014 have other options to view that content.

One option is to sign up with another television provider. As a rule, there is only one cable TV provider per community. However, a satellite provider is usually available.

(But, a caveat: a Charter-WSB type of dispute theoretically could happen with another TV provider and any of their local channels, too. This is not the first such blackout.)

Also, some WSB and ABC programming is available by other means.

On Hulu.com, many ABC prime-time shows are available for free on a delayed basis, such as "Modern Family" and "Scandal." Of course, those could be viewed on a television that is connected to an Internet device. Hulu's basic service is free.

Netflix.com offers some ABC content via streaming from the Internet to computers, gaming consoles and televisions that are equipped with Netflix software. There is a fee of $7.99 per month.

For those who want to "cut the cord" and go without any cable or satellite provider, an HD antenna would bring in any local, over the air channel and its affiliated network programming.

And WSB newscasts are available via live streaming on the WSB website. Also, some ABC shows such as "Good Morning America" have content on their own websites.

Charter dropped WSB shortly after midnight on Jan. 1, 2014, when their "retransmission consent" contract expired. Negotiations apparently are continuing.

A WSB story says that "Charter has refused to enter into an agreement that would pay fair value for WSB-TV."

However, a Charter programmed statement says that WSB, which is being represented by Cox Media Group, "is demanding an unfair rate increase."

-- Who do you blame in the Charter-WSB dispute? Will you simply do without the station's content, or try to obtain it in another way? Tell us in the comments box below.

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