Time Warner Cable goes to the people for help in fighting rising programming fees

Time Warner Cable asks help on rising program fees

Time Warner Cable Inc. is asking the public for help as it tries to curtail increases in the programming fees it has to pay to carry cable channels and broadcast stations on its systems.

The nation’s second-largest cable TV operator unveiled an advertising campaign Wednesday asking cable subscribers to vote online on whether it should “roll over” or “get tough” in negotiations over the fees.

Time Warner Cable says it’ll use the results of the survey in upcoming contract renewal talks.

It’s not clear whether the public response will be any good when past ads accusing programmers of price-gouging haven’t stopped fee increases. And the survey is far from scientific, as participants won’t be randomly selected.