WAFB, Cox standoff may cause some in B.R. to view NFL playoff game on small screens this weekend

One of the main reasons many sports fans buy a big-screen, high-definition TV is so they can have a view of the big game that rivals the best seat in any stadium in the country. But for those in Baton Rouge who get their cable service from Cox Communications, the contractual standoff the company is currently embroiled in with the parent company of local CBS-affiliate WAFB Channel 9 may leave local subscribers scrambling to find another screen—such as a laptop, a smartphone or a neighbor’s—on which to watch the NFL’s AFC wild card playoff game scheduled for Sunday. The Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens are set to square off at 3:30 p.m. A deal will have to be reached between Cox and Raycom Media before then for Baton Rouge Cox subscribers—who have been without CBS-affiliate shows airing on WAFB since Tuesday—to see the action as usual. “The simplest solution in the short-term for our customers who want to watch the AFC wild card games this weekend on CBS would be for them to purchase a high-definition antenna—widely available at local retail locations,” says Sharon Bethea, Cox public affairs manager, noting negotiations are ongoing with Raycom. Calls to WAFB General Manager Sandy Breland and Raycom CEO Paul McTear seeking comment on possible alternatives for the airing of NFL playoff games were not returned in time for publication. Along with the NFL and other sports games, Cox subscribers can also see all other CBS programming on the WAFB website while the two sides continue to negotiate a deal. Learn more about the standoff between Raycom and Cox here. —Steve Sanoski