Get a Free TV Antenna from Time Warner Cable During CBS Blackout

The latest salvo in the battle between CBS and Time Warner Cable over re-transmission fees, is being fired by TWC which will begin giving away free set-top TV antennas Friday.

"Dawn," a TWC online chat operator told Patch Thursday: "... You can go to the nearest cable store and get the free antenna... You can bring your recent TWC bill along with your photo ID and you will be all set."

TWC also told customers it would be offering a free Amazon gift card or movie on demand coupon, according to MediaPost.com.

In the Los Angeles area, TWC has been airing the Starz family network in place of KCBS2 since an impasse was reached Aug. 2. KCAL9 is carrying a text message explaining the blackout.

Meanwhile, CBS and Verizon's FiOS have come to terms on a three-year carriage pact. CBS boss Leslie Moonves told staffers in a memo that "Time Warner Cable has been offered almost exactly the same deal," according to TVweek.com.

Time Warner Cable says it will offer the Tennis Channel's U.S. Open programming Aug. 26-Sept. 9 as the blackout of CBS-owned stations continues in Los Angeles, New York, and Dallas, according to MediaPost.com.

But there is a danger as this next round in the CBS vs. Time Warner bout progresses, MediaWeek.com warns. "Customers hooking up the antennas will get all the broadcast stations and may realize they can live without TWC’s TV service and cut the cord." 

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