ABC Removed from the TV

UPDATE February 8, 2010
WABC returned to the TV about 15 minutes after the Oscars began. So we Cablevision customers missed the opening of the Oscars, as well as Barbara Walters' last Oscar special ever. I'm glad ABC and Cablevision are resolving their issues and gave us back our WABC, but I don't think they listened to me, since it sounds like Cablevision caved and is probably going to be paying ABC/Disney more money, which means Cablevision will likely increase their cable prices. My loss of respect for both companies -- but particularly ABC/Disney -- endures, similar to my remaining feelings of resentment toward Scripps Network because of the time they temporarily took Food Network (and HGTV) away as a negotiation tactic.

[Originally an email written to ABC on February 7, 2010 (yes, today). Some ideas came from a friend (yes, I have a friend).]

Dear ABC,

Rather than demanding more money from Cablevision, why doesn't ABC simply ask Cablevision to stop charging their subscribers for broadcast channels such as WABC? I would think that would resolve ABC's problem, since ABC is claiming that they should be paid since Cablevision charges us for ABC.

If ABC/Disney is actually concerned about the viewers/consumers, they will simply ask Cablevision to stop charging us for what should be free, rather than demand to be paid because of those charges. The fact is, if Cablevision pays ABC more than they already do, Cablevision will inevitably raise their prices, and therefore, we the consumers will suffer.

I understand that pulling ABC from Cablevision the night before the Oscars is a negotiation tactic, but ABC/Disney is only hurting the viewers, Oprah Winfrey, Barbara Walters, and America. ABC's move is a slap in the face to all of the above, and demonstrates a complete lack of respect for all of the above.

Every minute ABC remains off my TV, I lose more respect for Disney and ABC.

I will NOT change providers. ABC/Disney is not hurting Cablevision, ABC/Disney is hurting its (former) viewers.

Please put WABC back on Cablevision. Please do what is right and what is fair.

Thank you.
~Shirley