Connecticut’s Optimum Cable customers can get compensation for WFSB flap

Optimum Cable customers in Connecticut will be getting some kind of compensation for not having access to WFSB in their channel lineup between mid-January and mid March after all — but they’ll have to ask for it.

The compensation Optimium Cable customers are being offered is not cash or a credit on their bills for the period that WFSB disappeared from their cable system during a contract dispute that lasted from Jan. 13 to March 17. Instead, customers are being offered three free months of movie channels offered by Optimum, according to area elected officials who have been briefed on the compensation package.

Optimum customers can chose one of the following channels: Showtime; Showtime on Demand, including Showtime Anytime; Starz and Encore, Starz on Demand, Encore on Demand; or TMC and TMC on Demand.

In addition, customers who had signed up for free CBS All Access before March 18 will receive free service for the whole month of March.

Unfortunately for Optimum Cable customers, the company’s corporate parent isn’t going out of its way to alert its subscribers to the compensation. Optimum’s corporate parent, Altice Group, initially did not respond to requests made last week by the newspaper to provide details regarding the compensation.

Janet Meehan, an Altice spokeswoman, said Monday that Optimum is “offering some options for impacted customers in Litchfield and New Haven.”

“They can contact us to discuss more about their account,” Meehan said, declining to provide any other information.

Optimum carried WFSB on cable systems in 24 Connecticut towns — including Milford, Orange and Woodbridge as well as eight Litchfield County communities. But Meehan’s refusual to provide anything but the most basic information about the compensation offer makes it unclear whether Optimum customers in Fairfield County are eligible.

Optimum carries two CBS affiliates in Fairfield County, WFSB and the network’s owned and operated station in New York City, WCBS. Optimum continued to carry WCBS in the Fairfield County homes it serves throughout the dispute with WFSB.

The New Haven Register first became aware of the compensation offer after the newspaper received an email Friday from Woodbridge First Selectwoman Ellen Scalettar.

“I am concerned that not enough residents are aware of their compensation options,” Scalettar said, explaining her reason for contacting the newspaper.

State Sen. Gayle Slossberg, D-Milford, said she would have preferred that subscribers receive financial compensation for their troubles, either in the form of cash or a bill credit.

“But the law doesn’t require them to do anything, so this is the best that we can hope for,” said Slossberg, who spearheaded a petition drive and led other efforts to convince Altice and Meredith Corp., WFSB’s corporate parent, to resolve their dispute.

Slossberg said it is incumbent upon Optimum customers in Connecticut to call the company’s Connecticut customer service number at 203-870-2491 or visit an Optimum store to get the compensation.

“This is not something that you get automatically,” she said. “That’s why I want let as many people as possible know about this.”

Optimum has three Connecticut store locations — Litchfield, Bridgeport and Norwalk — according to the company’s website.

Call Luther Turmelle at 203-680-9388.