This newspaper asked its readers to send in their opinions on the row between Bermuda CableVision and the Bermuda Broadcasting Company (BBC). Here are a few of the e-mails we received.

"BBC states that CableVision 'maintains existing services'. I take this to mean that the service remains as is. Once BBC starts charging CableVision and they then pass the charge to the customers then the existing service is not maintained. It is a new service. I watch the local news on ZBM every evening, two-and-a-half hours per week. I would like the choice as to whether pay any fee or not. My choice would be NOT. I would just change to VSB and get the same news" – Peter Shaw

"I think this whole thing is ridiculous! The customer should not have to pay for these two local channels. Does BBC have a financial crisis problem that they are doing this? There goes Young & Restless, CSI and all the other good shows" – Roberta Tucker

"This is disgusting. My in-laws in their 80s just recently bought a new TV which, for some reason unknown to me, could not receive the antenna feed. They therefore had themselves hooked up to CableVision only last month. They are only interested in the local channels which they have watched for free over the air for decades. Because of the situation with their new television, they elected to pay for CableVision.

"Now they will be prevented from watching their favourite shows and local news, this is abominable. This is a power play on behalf of CableVision who were obviously upset over the BBC's coverage of the Olympics and the fact they angered their consumers by having to blackout various other channels. Both the BBC and CableVision need to come to the table and work this out instead of holding the country hostage over this. How come BBC and WOW have come to an agreement?

As for the survey, what hogwash, everyone I know watches and enjoys the ABC and CBS line-ups and to do this a few weeks before the Christmas period is pure evil.

"A 2002 figure states that CableVision had then approx. 17,000 subscribers, the online survey performed in December 2005 and reported in January 2006 indicated a response from 257 (all of whom have Internet and therefore probably do not rely on TV for entertainment). The survey subsequently was reported as a 'whopping' 83 percent of that figure does not wish to pay for ZFB, ZBM or VSB – well that's only 213 people in the whole country, hardly whopping. The online survey only surveyed (using 2002 figures) 1.5 percent of the CableVision subscriber base, hardly conclusive.

"Along with those that are not connected to the Internet, this will probably also affect many elderly and housebound – where is the compassion? CableVision should be ashamed of themselves, axing probably the two most watched channels on the Island, ABC and CBS, is ridiculous, especially during the season of goodwill" – Kristina Kuhn

"With regard to the current controversy between BBC and CableVision, frankly I don't think it matters if BBC charge a rate as suggested 'by user', as long as the inclusion of BBC in the customer's tier package becomes optional. Customers should not be forced to have to pay an additional fee for a service which they already fund by taxation. If the users all have the option of declining the package, not paying the fee, and watching BBC when they wish to by means of an antenna, there is no problem. If customers feel, as I suspect many of them will, that this is too inconvenient, they can opt to pay the increased charge, and stay on the couch when switching station.

"It is bad enough to have to buy dozens of channels that one does not particularly want, merely because one wishes to watch The History Channel, Discovery, Animal Planet, and Sci Fi. At least however the mass of other irrelevant channels are not available for free through the ether. That would really be rubbing salt in the wound" – (For reasons of anonymity, and in fear of reprisal from crazed middle-aged women hooked on Young and the Restless and armed with universal remotes set to stun, I am signing myself...) Paul Maccoy.

"All I can say is what next? I have already tried contacting WOW, so have my other co-workers. Not everyone has access to Internet to watch their programmes online! Either CableVision will lose most of its customers or BBC will receive a lot of flak from concerned viewers. Personally, I enjoy watching the local news with Gary Moreno and not forgetting all the other programmes that come on both channels. It is very unfortunate it has come to this. Ridiculous" – Anonymous.