CBS8 wasn't available to Cox Communications subscribers in the San Diego region for a short time Friday due to a dispute over a new contract -- but the station was back on by afternoon after a deal was reached.
Television viewers attempting to tune into the station on Cox cable during the morning found a message -- in English and Spanish -- reading: "This station is demanding a significant fee increase for this channel and has pulled it from Cox viewers. Visit www.coxcommitment.com for the latest information."
Both the station and cable company posted messages on their websites explaining their positions after the contract expired at midnight. CBS8 asked viewers to call Cox to ask them to be put back on, while the cable firm contended the station owner, Midwest Television, was demanding too much money, which would drive up subscriber costs.
Later in the day, Cox issued a statement saying that an agreement was reached and expressed regret for the disruption.
CBS8 produces local news programs, carries popular CBS shows like "The Big Bang Theory'' and broadcasts most Chargers football games.
The outage also affected MeTV, a cable channel that airs reruns of popular older television shows like "Perry Mason'' and "The Twilight Zone.''
