news-record.com

Time Warner Cable's survey, rolloverorgettough.com, which seeks subscriber feedback on helping it make unpleasant choices between likely rate increases and program cutbacks, isn't exactly impartial.

Choose "get tough" and all responders have to do is fill in the information blanks. But if you decide to "rollover," you're asked if you wouldn't really prefer fighting back. Apparently, Time Warner does.

Even so, it was nice of them to ask. In the past, the media giant has been criticized for not paying enough attention to its customers, including some 400,000 in the Triad.

Last spring, the company rightly backed off a proposed tiered rate structure for Internet users that would have shifted from a flat monthly fee for high-speed cable to a system based on volume of usage. Irate users had scheduled a protest at the local office.

And in mid-November, the company announced that, beginning with their December bills, some cable and high-speed Internet customers here will see rate increases of less than 5 percent, depending on the level of service. No questions asked.

Cable, of course, isn't the only available provider. Satellite and communications companies increasingly compete in an expanding, overlapping TV, telephone and Internet market.

However, cable companies, like public utilities, usually enjoy protected franchises. State and local oversight can be minimal. Seldom is there more than one cable outfit in town.

Although this survey may have a not-so-subtle agenda, Time Warner does deserve credit for making an effort to get outside input. Whether it actually matters remains to be seen.

Another option -- one that providers frown upon -- would allow subscribers more leeway in tailoring packages to their liking. But cost concerns, companies say, rule out cherry-picking.

Well, there's always rabbit ears.