How the Time Warner Cable, CBS Standoff Could Set the TV Standard

[Commentary] Unlike other recent retransmission negotiations that focused on small fee increases, CBS is determined to make up for what it perceives to be a historic injustice in terms of what cable and satellite operators pay for CBS content.

The network wants a leap from around 66 cents per subscriber per month to about $2, based on figures from SNL Kagan. Content companies typically win these carriage fights, and it's likely this time won’t be different. As the fall season approaches, CBS’ leverage grows. When cable and satellite distributors start losing customers, they have a history of caving in. If that happens this time -- probably on the eve of the NFL season -- you can bet that NBC, ABC and Fox will all be looking for the same kind of historic increase. And Time Warner Cable will be joined by Comcast, Cox, DirecTV and even Dish Network in facing this new reality.