The fee dispute between Time Warner Cable and CBS has prompted a class action lawsuit by subscribers upset over paying for channels they don't receive.
In a lawsuit filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court by lead plaintiffs James Armstrong, Michael Pourtemour and Vatsana Bilavam, the southern California residents say they were enticed into subscribing to TWC service by the promise of CBS-owned channels CBS, Showtime, Movie Channel and Los Angeles station KCAL but have been unable to access them due to the two-week blackout.
CBS and TWC are locked in a nasty standoff over CBS' request to increase carraige fees for its channels. As a result, CBS has pulled its channels in several big markets, including the Los Angeles area.
The plaintiffs want an unspecified reimbursement for subscription fees paid. The suit claims causes of action for breach of contract, unjust enrichment and violations of California's business and professions code. The class action also seeks to encourage other TWC customers to join the suit.
THR has reached out to Time Warner Cable for comment on the suit.
More to come.
