The battle that AIM Group reported in November still rages on between Time Warner and several network providers who are raising their fees, and in the case of News Corp., parent of Fox, creating new fees where none existed before. The deadline is Dec. 31 for Time Warner to sign on the dotted line, reported CNN Money. Failure to do so would lose TW customers access to such TV shows as American Idol and The Simpsons. Other providers whose rate increases cause TW to hesitate its signing include Scripps Networks and The Weather Channel.

News Corp. has tacked on an entirely unprecedented $1-per-subscriber fee to Time Warner for airing its stations, a practice that has traditionally been reserved for access to cable networks. ABC, CBS, NBC and Fos have always been available to Time Warner and other cable companies at no charge.

Time Warner created  RollOverGetTough.com site to publicly express its displeasure over the cost increases. Fox responded with its own KeepFoxOn.com.

Both argue financial necessity as the reason behind their stand. The issue would affect 13 million viewers, though News Corp. does not own all Fox affiliates.