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The Programming Disputes Thread

https://tvanswerman.com/2017/03/21/directv-now-will-roku-still-be-added-in-the-first-quarter/

The Pending Roku/Directv Now deal uncertain because AT&T blames technical issues for Directv.

AT&T has committed to offering its live streaming service, DIRECTV Now, on Roku streaming devices by the end of this month, but there are now just 10 days left in March and customer support reps seem to be trying to downplay expectations.


In response to questions regarding DIRECTV Now’s availability on Roku, @DIRECTVNowHelp, its Twitter customer service team, said this last night:

“We are working on having Roku added as a compatible device, though we don’t have an ETA. Please continue to check back.”



One DIRECTV Now customer wondered on Twitter whether the lack of an ‘Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA)’ meant the goal of launching in the first quarter would not be met.

“Not the “1st quarter” anymore? If not, I’m out. I’ve been with you and waiting since Nov. Done watching on phone,” said @CasadaAdan

In its response, @DIRECTVNowHelp did not comment directly on the ‘first quarter’ remark and instead tweeted: “It will be here sooner than you think.”


On March 13, I noted here that DIRECTV Now may be afraid that the addition of Roku, which has more users than any other streaming device, could significantly increase subscribers, and that could lead to more technical snafus.

AT&T executives have said the frequent errors that still plague DIRECTV NOW, such as picture freezing, login issues, and picture quality problems, have been caused in part to a larger number of subscribers than the company anticipated. They simply weren’t ready to handle the traffic at launch and beyond.
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DIRECTV: We’ve Lost 12 Local Channels In a Fee Fight

DIRECTV has apparently lost 12 local channels in five markets due to a fee fight with their owner, Lilly Broadcasting.

The channels have posted notices at their web sites saying they are attempting to seek a new agreement with DIRECTV. The two companies are fighting over how much DIRECTV should pay to carry the 12 channels.

The channels affected in the dispute are: WSEE-TV (CBS and CW affiliate in Erie, Pennsylvania); WICU-TV (NBC affiliate in Erie); WENY (CBS, ABC and CW affiliates in Elmira, New York); KMAU-TV (ABC and MeTV channels in Wailuku, Hawaii); KHVO-TV (ABC and MeTV channels in Hilo, Hawaii); and KITV-TV (ABC and MeTV channels in Honolulu, Hawaii.).

DIRECTV has posted a statement at its web site, DIRECTVPromise.com, saying all 12 channels have been removed from their lineup. By law, a TV provider can not carry a channel without its permission.
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https://tvanswerman.com/2017/04/03/directv-weve-lost-12-local-channels-in-a-fee-fight/
 
I wonder if this DIRECTV dispute also affects Lilly's "secret TV market", a.k.a. the US Virgin Islands, in which they carry their CBS, ABC, and CW affiliates.:confused: If it does, I don't know how USVI will react.
 
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Brazilian TV hit by retransmission dispute

With the clock set on the Brazilian government’s transition from analogue digital broadcasting, a process which started in 2016 and is scheduled to cover several phases until 2018 for the entire territory, a number of free-to-air TV stations have complained that the country’s main distributors – SKY Brasil (owned by AT&T/DirecTV), Net & Claro (owned by América Móvil) and Oi Telecomunication – are unfairly refusing to pay those broadcasters to carry their channels.

Recently, Brazil ́s federal law regulator – Economic Administrative Defense Council (CADE – Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica) – authorised a joint-venture company, Simba Content, formed by the three largest free-to-air TV Stations in Brazil to charge cable, satellite and telco distributors for carrying their digital signals.

However, the distribution platforms have resisted paying a fee for free-to-air TV stations. Meanwhile, satellite and cable company VIVO, which is owned by Telefónica, has been the only distributor to agree to negotiate for such an eventuality.

Days before the switch-off, Simba Content warned customers from all three TV stations that a blackout was likely to take place as the operators are reluctant to accept any deal at all, even though they pay for international and some national stations already.

Well-known Brazilian actors and popular TV presenters have joined the cause of the TV stations, with many of them using their own private social media to protest against operators whom do not recognise their hard work and still disrespecting consumers at the same time.
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http://advanced-television.com/2017/04/05/brazilian-tv-hit-by-retransmission-dispute/
 
Fox Networks Group Threatens Blackout On Charter In Latest Showdown

Fox Networks Group has become the latest to challenge the nation’s No. 2 cable company over its carriage fees. The division that includes FX Networks, National Geographic, Fox Sports and 19 regional sports networks fired a shot across the bow today, warning it could cut off access to Charter’s 16 million Spectrum subscribers as early as Saturday.

“We are disappointed that despite our best efforts over many months to resolve the situation without disruption, Charter’s 16 million subscribers may lose access to a wide variety of programming,” the Fox group said in a statement. The dispute does not include the Fox broadcast network, Fox News Channel or Fox Business.

The Fox unit has put up a site, KeepMyNets.com, and began running an ad in impacted markets. The networks in a statement pushed the fact a potential blackout would come as the NBA and NHL playoffs get underway and with the arrival of baseball season, and as per usual the site offers links to alternate providers.
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https://deadline.com/2017/04/fox-networks-charter-blackout-threat-carriage-fees-1202064173/
 
Is Root Sports also affected? I thought that was owned by AT&T now.
So there does my movies and Marines games (even thought they were on a 3-game losing streak...)
 
I used to think that Time Warner merging with Charter would stop a lot of the contract disputes that were happening, but now I'm beginning that Charter has taken up TW's tactics and are actually worse. :p
 
FX/NatGeo/regional sports networks etc. could go off today on Spectrum. Lovely, baseball fans missing their games in several markets. Guess they have to turn on an *AM* radio!
 
Now the Virgin Islands are happy again, because when the dispute took WENY (ABC) away from DirecTV, it had some Virgin Islanders screwed, because aside from Dish, DirecTV was (probably) the only way they would get ABC, I guess.
 
http://www.fiercecable.com/cable/charter-kicks-mtv-bet-nick-other-viacom-channels-out-basic-tier

Charter Cable kicks out the Viacom owned channels from basic tier. Also this is a part of a trend to trim down their bundles

Signaling yet more distribution troubles for beleaguered Viacom, the programming conglomerate confirmed during its first-quarter earnings conference last week that Charter has kicked its core channels out of its basic tier.

The news came during a week in which Hulu launched its much-ballyhooed virtual pay-TV service without Viacom networks in the $40 bundle. Consequently, having MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, Spike and VH1 downgraded on the No. 2 cable operator in the U.S. was a bid deal to investors, who cratered Viacom’s stock by 5.7% as of mid-day trading Friday.

According to Viacom CEO Bob Bakish, the Charter downgrade only affects new customers, who have to pony up for Charter’s most premium pay-TV bundle to get their MTV.



“With respect to Charter, in particular, we are aware of the issue,” Bakish said, according to a transcript provided by Seeking Alpha. It’s worth noting, it appears to affect new subs only. It's not a broad re-tiering. I read something today that suggested it might be. But suffice it to say, this is in the context of an ongoing integration there. There is a difference of opinion on what's appropriate. We have a very strong point of view and are in conversations about it and I believe this will get resolved. And again, at a macro level, we continue to be focused on partnership with Charter and where there's other conversations going on and other MVPDs and are working to build and evolve the pay-TV ecosystem.”

Bereft of live programming draws like sports and news, Viacom has struggled to maintain carriage of its networks in the skinny bundle era. However, under Bakish, Viacom is strategically working to accentuate its more advantageous features.

For example, the company is reportedly in talks with Discovery Communications and AMC Network—which are similarly bereft of sports—to launch a new sports-free online video service that would be distributed by MVPDs.
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Charter is treating double-digit channels like triple-digit ones in my area now (when it comes to new customers)
(as seen in this "dispute" (quotation marks used, as its not really a dispute)), because Nick is on Channel 36 in my area on Spectrum, but Spectrum is treating it as if it's Channel 140 (that's TeenNick/NickSplat).
 
http://www.fiercecable.com/broadcas...y-tv-channel-packages-are-overstuffed-turkeys

Well you have Discovery, AMC and Viacom negotiating for skinny bundles plans with the MVPD's and cable providers.

As AMC, Discovery and Viacom reportedly work with operators on a skinny nonsports bundle, Discovery CEO David Zaslav said there needs to be a response to the “overstuffed turkeys” currently available.

The fowl reference came in response to a question during today’s earnings call about live sports rights pushing up the cost of traditional MVPD packages and emerging virtual MVPDs, many of which are starting around the $35-$40 range.

Zaslav said that U.S. consumers will react to these prices by demanding a lower-cost option and that the U.S. industry needs to be ready to accommodate that demand.

A skinny bundle could help to stem the tide of losses sweeping across the pay-TV ecosystem. During the first quarter, MoffettNathanson analyst Craig Moffett estimated total losses for the industry reached 762,000 video subscribers.

“We as an industry need to complement that with a true skinny bundle,” Zaslav said.

Zaslav said that Discovery has already had success finding its way into many skinny bundles and nonsports packages in global markets. Indeed, Discovery just reported its international distribution revenues rose 10% annually.

RELATED: Viacom CEO cautious about positioning SVOD as alternative to pay-TV

Discovery could be looking to replicate that success in the U.S. by partnering with other entertainment networks to launch nonsports channel bundles in cooperation with operators.

According to Bloomberg, the programmers are in talks with four to six operators about a livestreaming channel package offered over the internet, and one such service could become available as soon as later this year.

The packages being discussed could be priced at less than $20 per month, according to the report.
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Jonathan mentioned changes in Charter's cable lineup. 13 is no longer in existence (it was QVC, moved into the 100s) and 15, formerly HSN, is now FXM. Also had BBC America move to channel 21 from 100-something...but we don't get it because it's on the Silver package.
 


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