In addition to the forceful language, Time Warner also issued a waspish threat to customers thinking of tuning out:
“Switching is not the answer; sooner or later CBS will threaten others and go dark, just as they have with DISH in the past and with us today.”
As of midnight eastern, Time Warner Cable customers in New York City, Dallas and Los Angeles will no longer receive their local CBS broadcast stations. Showtime, TMC, Flix and Smithsonian have been removed from Time Warner products across the country.
CBS programming is still available free online at cbs.com and over the air with an antenna. Showtime subscribers may watch some programming at sho.com. Customers are being advised to visit www.twcconversations.com for more information on viewing.