Think it's a coincidence that channels tend to go dark right before a major TV premier or a sports event? Not at all! Many programmers are willing to use their marquee programming as leverage during disputes to put pressure on TV providers, but it also inflicts the most pain on the viewer.

The owners of local broadcast stations like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC are available over the air for free via an antenna. However, due to an outdated law called Retransmission Consent, they are allowed to charge TV providers like Optimum to carry their content. Does that sound fair?

Some programmers who own many different channels often require TV providers to carry ALL of their networks-so you're paying for channels you don't watch. Some programmers even require that TV providers, like Optimum, pay a fee for ALL their customers, instead of just those who want the network in their TV package. They also require that their networks are carried on certain tiers and to a certain percentage of customers. Ultimately, all this behavior limits choice and drives up costs.