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LATEST CARRIAGE DISPUTE: FOX VS. DIRECTV

I'm not trying to politicize this conversation in any way, but I think the apt term to describe the current system is 'channel socialism'. We all pay the cable companies like we pay the health insurance companies. Some of us use ESPN and FX and MTV while others use more niche channels like Science Channel, Speed, etc.- but in the end, it works best when we all pay towards the same pot and the bigger channels essentially subsidize the existence of the smaller channels. Its a stable business model, though, much like how health insurance companies charge premiums based upon age, but it doesn't necessarily mean you will use the services- but spreading "risk" around is a solid business principle.

Quality channels, programming and, most importantly, choice, disappear without this system. Everyone sighs when they pay their cable bill, and I agree that they are a little out of hand now, but the alternative is fewer choices and less quality programming.
 
justpassingthough said:
I'm not trying to politicize this conversation in any way, but I think the apt term to describe the current system is 'channel socialism'. We all pay the cable companies like we pay the health insurance companies. Some of us use ESPN and FX and MTV while others use more niche channels like Science Channel, Speed, etc.- but in the end, it works best when we all pay towards the same pot and the bigger channels essentially subsidize the existence of the smaller channels. Its a stable business model, though, much like how health insurance companies charge premiums based upon age, but it doesn't necessarily mean you will use the services- but spreading "risk" around is a solid business principle.

Quality channels, programming and, most importantly, choice, disappear without this system. Everyone sighs when they pay their cable bill, and I agree that they are a little out of hand now, but the alternative is fewer choices and less quality programming.
Click to expand...


Well put. Another thing occurs to me - people who like specialty channels would inevitably have to pay more with "a la carte" choices. Using me as an example - I am NOT a sports fan. I probably watch 3 or 4 games a year, and if its'a dull game, I'll bail-out before the end. I might pay 50 cents a month for ESPN, but no more than that. There are millions of Americans just like me - so those of you that want sports Packages would surely have to pay more than you do now.
 
I remember Fox and Disney had a contract dispute with Cablevision in Long Island from 2009-2010 and there was a blockage too. also I remember Fox and Disney did have a contract dispute with Time Warner in Los Angeles and NYC. When was the last time that Xfinity/Comcast have this problem with any channel in San Francisco?
 
Like all prior disputes, I expect the channels will go dark for awhile until their
advertisers realize how many eyeballs they are losing not having the DirecTV
subscribers. Once they start demanding adjustments to the rate card Fox
will come back to the table and settle.
 
The customer always gets screwed over on these contract-dispute catfights.

As for the pro-cable shills here, y'all have done a great job over the years convincing folks to pay for the milk (local channels) while the product is available free. When folks start talk about "cutting the cord" and/or putting up antennas it really upsets the whole cable/pay tv apple cart.

I dumped Dish Network two months ago and it was the best thing I could have done. I do miss a few of the new series on "cable" but much of the content on the average cable channel, just like on OTA is swill. 500 channels with one or two signature programs and the rest of the time is old reruns of other programming. I've had an antenna for several years since moving here and was able to get locals in HD before even being offered via Dish and then I would have had to upgrade to an Eastern Arc dish (and yet another contract). Unless something bizarre happens (as happened in Springfield MO with FOX), I'm good to go with networks/local channels (including subchannels not offered on sat providers).
 
What I think is hilarious is that News Corp is encouraging DIRECTV subs to switch providers to let's say Dish Network, who will probably also have a contract dispute with them soon. It just never ends!

Really, the only channels at risk here for most viewers, in all honesty, is FX and the regional sports network. The good thing is that the NBA is on lockout so people won't be too angry about it here in LA.
 
radiojomo said:
What I think is hilarious is that News Corp is encouraging DIRECTV subs to switch providers to let's say Dish Network, who will probably also have a contract dispute with them soon. It just never ends!

Really, the only channels at risk here for most viewers, in all honesty, is FX and the regional sports network. The good thing is that the NBA is on lockout so people won't be too angry about it here in LA.
Click to expand...

Dish had a dispute with them last year on these same channels, I think.
 
radiojomo said:
What I think is hilarious is that News Corp is encouraging DIRECTV subs to switch providers to let's say Dish Network, who will probably also have a contract dispute with them soon. It just never ends!
Click to expand...

Fox was encouraging DISH subscribers to switch to DirecTV during the dispute last year! I suspect these contracts between the cable/telco/satcos and the content providers are five years long (someone correct me if I'm wrong), so DISH subscribers might not have to worry for another four years. It would be the AT&T U-Verse subscribers I'd be worried about next (noticing that their logo doesn't appear with the "alternate providers" on Fox's site)! :D
 
radiojomo said:
Really, the only channels at risk here for most viewers, in all honesty, is FX and the regional sports network. The good thing is that the NBA is on lockout so people won't be too angry about it here in LA.
Click to expand...

After this NBA season (if it ever occurs), Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket have no bargaining chip with the Lakers since they move exclusively to the yet to be launched Time Warner Sportschannel for the next 2 decades.
 
What I love about this if Fox is using double-speak to confuse people regarding the local Fox stations! To make them worry and "fear" losing their local station as well.

Most people don't understand that the stations in question are the Fox Owned and Operated station and not all the affiliates - and I think they are playing up that fear across the board.

But as it's been pointed out the contracts for FOX NEWS and the Fox O&Os are not up yet.
 
Robnoxious said:
After this NBA season (if it ever occurs), Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket have no bargaining chip with the Lakers since they move exclusively to the yet to be launched Time Warner Sportschannel for the next 2 decades.
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And I'm sure there won't be any carriage issues between the Time Warner Sportsnet and other carriers in the area like Cox, Dish, DIRECTV, U-Verse, FiOS and Charter! ;)

I heard they're also trying to buy the rights from Frank McCourt and the Dodgers. That's why Fox is up in arms about him not giving exclusive bargaining rights them.
 
radiojomo said:
What do you know! My comment about Fox Sports West potentially losing Dodgers baseball has made news in the LA Times. Apparently, word is that Fox might consider dropping Prime Ticket if the Dodgers do move.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-1031-dodgers-fox-20111031,0,3636509.story
Click to expand...

The article cites that McCourt wanted to create a subscription Dodger channel. Hmm, wasn't that called ON-TV in it's infancy and later appeared as Sportschannel LA? And how did those business ventures go? McCourt and FOX saw the Dodgers as an unlimited cash grab (and grab they both did). Both can be knocked down a peg or 20 for all I care.
 
There are now increasingly panicky ads running which claim that as a DirecTV subscriber I MAY be
losing Fox News Channel in addition to FX, Fox Soccer, etc.

To my knowledge this is untrue. Fox News is not affected by this dispute (though in theory
I suppose there is a chance that I MAY lose any of my current channels as their contracts come
up for renewal)

To me this indicates that Fox is starting to panic. The stations have not even gone dark yet,
and they are stretching the truth to play this card. I expect any outage will be short-lived.
 
gregg75 said:
Raising fees sure didn't work for Netflix. That's not always the answer.

I think a-la-carte and internet would both be cheaper for the consumer. Antenna your
locals (that would save about $15 alone in an a-la-carte bill).
Click to expand...
Depends on whether you're close enough. And on whether you can put up a roof antenna if you're not. I realize now I would have ultimately spent less with an antenna (which a professional would have had to in$tall), but I would have had to spend much more on recorders that could select digital channels since I wouldn't likely remember to change channels manually (not to mention turn the antenna--and what happens when the two shows airing at the same time are in two different directions? If one of those shows can be seen with a separate indoor antenna, fine). I have yet to see a cheap recorder which will do it. My TiVo, it turns out, does not record over-the-air digital channels. I did save money because from analog cable, it can record two shows at once. And I have a VHS with cable as well. But eventually I will be paying more for cable than I would have for over-the-air.
 
A deal has been reached, the networks will not be disappearing from DirecTV. Terms not announced.
 
Thanks! I presumed that when they were still on the guide this morning and
I did not see any more of those panicky spots running on any other channel.

So I guess I can still spend my Sunday mornings relaxing with coffee and
English Premiere League soccer.
 
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