JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced Friday that he has expressed concerns to a cable provider on behalf of state subscribers possibly being affected by a dispute the company is having with a local network.

Koster sent a letter to the Mediacom Communications, calling on the company to compensate consumers for the amount of time that KOMU-TV is not being broadcast.

"It is just plain wrong to think that you can drop one of the major networks, like NBC, and maintain that the contract between the provider and the consumer hasn't materially changed to the detriment of the consumer," Koster said.

In his letter, Koster asks Mediacom to confirm any substitute programming the company is providing to its customers. He also wants assurances that the company is supplying On-Demand boxes to customers without digital cable so they too will receive that programming.

Koster is also asking the cable company to evaluate its ability to offer pro-rata service credit to all mid-Missouri cable subscribers who have been, and will continue to be, affected by the NBC affiliate being off the air.

Koster's letter does not take a side in the argument, but he is seeking to ensure that customers are being treated fairly. He also cautions consumers not to cancel their contracts without first reviewing the terms of their commitment.

"Consumers may wish to cancel their service with Mediacom, but they should think carefully before doing so and make sure it is the right choice for them," Koster said.

A digital antenna can be used to watch local NBC news and weather, syndicated programming or live NBC national programming.