The Programming Disputes Thread

[EricStein]

AT&T is introducing a new service that uses a streaming box that will eventually replace the satellites. It was originally supposed to be a new option for DirecTV but has been changed to being called AT&T TV: https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/eve...v-the-new-live-tv-streaming-service-from-att/

I had considered going to it when it is introduced but with their recent disputes I've ruled them out.

There's also TVision Home (the former Layer3 TV) from T-Mobile. It was released in a handful of markets in April or so, but I haven't heard T-Mobile really promoting it. I think they're waiting for their 5G network to be built out to expand it more.

 

[EricStein]

Then there's Harry Jessell, publisher of TVNewsCheck and NAB cheerleader/proponent of jacking up the retrans percentages. He keeps saying that without increased retrans revenue, local TV will go the way of the newspaper. I say, why can't they sell advertising in non-traditional ways?

https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/237045/lets-be-done-with-the-anti-retrans-quinquennial/

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fx-national-geographic-blackout-averted-dish-network-1225977

The channels involved in the carriage dispute include FX, FXX, FXM, National Geographic and National Geographic Wild.

FX and National Geographic channels avoided a blackout on Dish Network as negotiations with Disney over carriage fees continued as the deadline passed at midnight.

The networks involved in the dispute include FX, FXX, FXM, National Geographic and National Geographic Wild, all cable channels acquired by the Walt Disney Co. when it purchased the majority of 21st Century Fox's entertainment assets.

Update on the Disney/Dish Negotiations.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://www.fiercevideo.com/video/cbs-warns-channel-blackout-directv-u-verse-could-last-a-long-time

Update on the CBS/ AT&T Dispute. Note Nexstar is also saying the same stuff too in the AT&T dispute.

CBS and AT&T were unable to reach a new carriage agreement, and on late Saturday CBS channels went dark DirecTV and U-verse services, a blackout CBS warned could “last a long time.”

CBS-owned television stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco, Boston, Atlanta, Tampa, Seattle, Detroit, Minneapolis, Miami, Denver, Sacramento, Pittsburgh and Baltimore went dark on DirecTV, DirecTV Now and U-verse. In addition, 117 CBS stations and affiliates went dark on DirecTV Now. Also, CBS Sports Network has been dropped nationally from DirecTV and DirecTV Now, and the Smithsonian Channel has been removed from DirecTV.

CBS said that it had already granted one extension to its current deal with AT&T, and offered another extension this past Friday to AT&T but said the pay TV provider declined the additional extension.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://www.fiercevideo.com/video/d...s-should-brace-for-slower-growth-analyst-says

Now this MVPD growth will go through a slowdown in subscriber growth. If the AT&T and Dish didn't get into disputes how much will subscriber growth be affected for their MVPD's

DirecTV Now and Sling TV have already seen their subscriber growth stall or reverse in recent quarters and now the virtual MVPD space in general could be facing a slowdown.

The new UBS Evidence Lab Streaming TV App Monitor estimates that streaming TV subscribers totaled 8.6 million overall, or approximately 9% of total video subscribers. By 2022, the firm expects streaming TV subscribers will make up about 20% of the total video market.

“While growth in streaming TV has helped stabilize video market declines in recent years, we expect streaming TV growth to slow with the recent price increases and a greater focus on profitability. Along with worsening traditional losses, we expect total video subs to fall 3.4% in 2Q, accelerating from -2.3% in 1Q and +0.2% this time last year,” wrote UBS analyst John Hodulik in a research note.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://www.locast.org/


If you live in some parts of the country affected by Contract disputes you can go here to Locast to go around the Dispute.

 

[anotherguyTN]

https://www.fiercevideo.com/video/cbs-warns-channel-blackout-directv-u-verse-could-last-a-long-time

Update on the CBS/ AT&T Dispute. Note Nexstar is also saying the same stuff too in the AT&T dispute.

If or when CBS and Viacom merge disputes like this could affect an even larger number of channels if this dispute goes on for very long.

https://www.fiercevideo.com/video/directv-now-sling-tv-and-other-vmvpds-should-brace-for-slower-growth-analyst-says

Now this MVPD growth will go through a slowdown in subscriber growth. If the AT&T and Dish didn't get into disputes how much will subscriber growth be affected for their MVPD's

The disputes with AT&T and Dish are hurting their streaming services as well and it serves them right. when are they going to realize they're cutting their own throats???

 

[anotherguyTN]

https://www.locast.org/


If you live in some parts of the country affected by Contract disputes you can go here to Locast to go around the Dispute.

I will definitely get Locast when that becomes available in the Memphis area.

 

[crainbebo]

At least I live in an area where an indoor antenna pulls in KCYU over the air with no dropouts. Would be different if I lived in Tampico, or Naches, or Mabton where I'd probably have some difficulties pulling in the low-power Fox station.
So for Beat Shazam last night (I can't stand the Bachelorette...they can keep winning the night over females - I want to play along with the music!) all I had to do was change my source on the 40" Samsung from HDMI (the DIRECTV box) to TV. Voila. 41.1 in 720p HD.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/237135/smith-retrans-blackouts-are-political-ploy/

Apparently the current contract disputes involving AT&T and Dish is allegedly on STELAR system. That is the newest angle I heard of for the reason for the blackouts.

NAB President Gordon Smith suggested today that AT&T and Dish are causing retransmission consent blackouts to win congressional support for the renewal of the satellite TV law that broadcasters fear may weaken their hand in retrans negotiations.

“It’s unfortunate that at a time when this trusted information is so critical to our communities, some of our pay-TV partners, like AT&T and Dish, seem to be purposefully withholding broadcast signals from viewers – making them pawns in a political game that aims to upend the retransmission consent system,” Smith said in a Media Institute luncheon speech in Washington.


“Is their goal to manufacture the appearance of a ‘broken system’ to encourage Congress to intervene just as it deliberates the upcoming STELAR expiration? If so, that is a dangerous game and one that hurts viewers – their customers – the most.”

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/busine...0190722-eyqguqgryjd2no5xysuefsehqe-story.html

DirecTV and U-verse subscribers tuning into their favorite CBS programming in Miami-Dade and Broward counties instead are greeted by a still image displaying the message: “CBS has removed this channel from your lineup despite our request to keep it available to you."

Fortunately, there are other ways for viewers to access CBS programs like “60 Minutes,” “Hawaii 5-0,” “Big Brother,” “Elementary,” “Love Island,” “Bull,” “FBI,” “Young Sheldon,” “Blue Bloods” and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”


And one of those ways — accessing local channels with a digital antenna kit that integrates those channels into DirecTV’s set-top receiver and DVR — can come straight to your doorstep, all expenses paid.

RELATED: CBS stations go dark on DirecTV, U-verse. Blackout could last into NFL season. »
The blackout threw CBS-owned stations in 17 U.S. markets off of the two AT&T-owned pay services. Affected stations include WFOR-Ch. 4 and WBFS-Ch. 33 which broadcast from Miami, and WTSP-Ch. 10 in Tampa-St. Petersburg.

Wait now Tegna owned station WTSP-TV Tampa is affected by the contract dispute with AT&T? WTOG-TV is a CW affiliate owned by CBS in Tampa and thats affected by the dispute.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WTSP

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WTOG

 

[EricStein]

https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/237135/smith-retrans-blackouts-are-political-ploy/

Apparently the current contract disputes involving AT&T and Dish is allegedly on STELAR system. That is the newest angle I heard of for the reason for the blackouts.

I would consider the source. Harry Jessell is pro-NAB and pro-retransmission money grab. He thinks that TV stations should get as much money from the cable and satellite providers as possible, at the cost of the consumer.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/nabs-smith-sees-stealth-stelar-play-in-retrans-impasses

National Association of Broadcasters president Gordon Smith put the blame on AT&T (DirecTV) and Dish Network for recent retransmission consent impasses with CBS, Nexstar Media Group (AT&T) and Meredith (Dish) TV stations, suggesting the timing of their failure to reach new agreements was part of a campaign to get Congress to renew STELAR and add some new retrans reforms.

Gordon Smith during the NAB Show 2019 session "Beyond the Briefing Room: Tales from the White House Beat"
NAB President Gordon Smith

Photoy courtesy of: Robb Cohen Photography & Video, Kevin Jones, Adam Shane, Lisa Staszewski and Timm Andrews

Smith's characterization of the impasses came in a speech at the Media Institute Tuesday (July 23).


STELAR is the satellite compulsory license law that comes up for renewal every five years and is due to expire at the end of this year. MVPDs support its renewal, and using it to get retrans reforms like bans on blackouts and outside arbitration, while broadcasters would like to see it sunset. The renewal has become an ongoing battle ground between broadcasters and cable operators over retrans. The law requires broadcasters and cable operators to negotiate retrans in good faith.

Yes Apparently the STELAR Act is at play for the current disputes. But wait CBS, Nexstar and Meredith are also using the dispute to boost viewers over to their streaming outlets though.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/237205/cbs-cbs-all-access-boosted-by-att-retrans-feud/

CBS today released a “fact sheet” in an effort to score points with the public in its on-going retrans battle with AT&T that has resulted in CBS stations going dark on AT&T’s MVPD satellite and streaming services.

The CBS Television Network and other CBS Corporation programming continue to be blacked out by AT&T on its DIRECTV, DIRECTV NOW and U-verse TV services.The CBS Television Network and other CBS Corporation programming continue to be blacked out by AT&T on its DIRECTV, DIRECTV NOW and U-verse TV services.

During this time, CBS programming is available by switching providers or via CBS.com and CBS All Access, which saw a dramatic spike in new subscribers this past weekend compared to the same weekend a year ago. More information can be found at KeepCBS.com.

Like I was supposed to be shocked by that. And in Some cities like Las Vegas and Portland, OR Nexstar owns a CBS Affiliate there and that is being advertised there too to go to All Access along with cities where CBS owns both a CW affiliate and CBS O&O are telling people to go all access for programming.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/hbo-max-investor-day-warnermedia-att-1203277816/

And AT&T does the same and responds to boosting HBO Max operations.

AT&T chief Randall Stephenson told investors Wednesday that the HBO Max streaming service set to launch next spring will eventually include live sports and news programming.

Stephenson talked up his enthusiasm for WarnerMedia’s nascent direct-to-consumer platform during the telco giant’s second-quarter earnings conference call with Wall Street analysts.

“You should assume that ultimately HBO Max will have live elements: Unique live sports and premium sports,” Stephenson said. “Those are going to be really, really important elements for HBO Max. The same with news.”

Stephenson cited WarnerMedia’s existing relationships with Major League Baseball, the NBA and NCAA men’s basketball tournament but it was unclear if he was indicating that HBO Max would seek to acquire streaming rights from those leagues. “There’s a lot of opportunity to take advantage of the unique content deals that we have within WarnerMedia,” he said.

 

[Will_H_69_9]

makes me wonder, are these disputes that are ongoing due to the negotations being stalled to the point that both sides are talking and we could be facing permament blackout where you won't ever see them back on the lineup. i can see the satellite providers declairing war on all local OTA stations by dropping them off and tell the customers that in order to ger locals, go get a antenna and a device that allows your DVR to record OTA signals (DirecTV's new Local Channnel Connector Dongle for the Genie HR 44 & HR55 DVRs and i think Dish's Hopper can be hooked to to a antenna to enable OTA DVRing on it). i can see it happening in the rise of streaming and 5G internet access.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/att-cbs-randall-stephenson-carriage-contract-talks-1203277946/

Here is more on the AT&T/ CBS Dispute

AT&T and CBS are already locked in a battle over whether or not the telecom giant will be able to carry programming from local CBS stations. Now they are fighting about the fight.

Speaking during a call with investors Wednesday, AT&T Chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson suggested the two companies are not that far apart on terms that would make CBS stations available again for approximately 6.6 million subscribers to the company’s DirecTV or U-verse services. “The bid asked candidly is not that wide, but it’s kind of an interesting dynamic,” Stephenson said. “We sent, that was a reasonable, fair offer over five days ago, and that’s been crickets. We haven’t heard anything.”

“CBS is seeking fair market value,” CBS said in a statement Wednesday, noting that it is “now seeking market rates from AT&T similar to what AT&T’s competitors believe our programming is worth.” The company added that it “remains ready and available to negotiate and as of today its offer of an unconditional 30-day extension still stands.” CBS also said it was prepared to entertain extending its deal with AT&T for a time to keep discussions active, but suggested AT&T wanted the extension agreement to encompass terms that were not part of the deal that had existed between the two media titans

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

makes me wonder, are these disputes that are ongoing due to the negotations being stalled to the point that both sides are talking and we could be facing permament blackout where you won't ever see them back on the lineup. i can see the satellite providers declairing war on all local OTA stations by dropping them off and tell the customers that in order to ger locals, go get a antenna and a device that allows your DVR to record OTA signals (DirecTV's new Local Channnel Connector Dongle for the Genie HR 44 & HR55 DVRs and i think Dish's Hopper can be hooked to to a antenna to enable OTA DVRing on it). i can see it happening in the rise of streaming and 5G internet access.

https://www.fiercevideo.com/video/at-t-s-new-streaming-tv-service-at-t-tv-launches-summer

Apparently AT&T is also planning to have AT&T TV too as its new streaming service I just see the disputes against AT&T escalating.

AT&T has confirmed that its new streaming TV service will be called AT&T TV. The service is getting a beta launch this summer in select markets.

AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson said the traditional DirecTV product will still be around for a long time but the new “thin client” streaming service will create new addressable markets while halving customer acquisition costs. The service will use an IP connection instead of a satellite dish, and will operate on a proprietary Android TV set-top box that AT&T is currently testing.

He said the lower customer acquisition costs will allow AT&T to offset rising programming costs so it can decrease price points for AT&T TV. For example, he pointed toward AT&T’s current carriage dispute with Nexstar Media, which he said asked for a 100% increase in broadcast television retransmission fees in its initial renewal offer.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

makes me wonder, are these disputes that are ongoing due to the negotations being stalled to the point that both sides are talking and we could be facing permament blackout where you won't ever see them back on the lineup. i can see the satellite providers declaring war on all local OTA stations by dropping them off and tell the customers that in order to get locals, go get a antenna and a device that allows your DVR to record OTA signals (DirecTV's new Local Channel Connector Dongle for the Genie HR 44 & HR55 DVRs and i think Dish's Hopper can be hooked to to a antenna to enable OTA DVRing on it). i can see it happening in the rise of streaming and 5G internet access.

https://www.fiercevideo.com/video/verizon-tests-its-own-streaming-device-named-stream-tv

https://www.fiercevideo.com/video/nbcuniversal-streaming-service-plans-to-launch-april-2020

Now you have other players like Verizon and Comcast/Xfinity get into the Streaming service plans. I know in the case of Verizon there is talks of having their streaming device pick up 5G signals though and its directed to go after AT&T.

 

[CaliRadioFan]

Add this lil tidbit from Broadcasting & Cable dated June 27, 2019:

"Locast is now available to over 32 million users in 13 cities. It started in New York in January 2018--B&C broke the story--and has been moving west ever since, most recently adding L.A. and San Francisco. AT&T added the Locast app to its DirecTV and U-verse receivers in May."

So, in some places, you still CAN watch CBS on DirecTV and U-Verse O_O