Viacom gets greedy...

[R3P0]

For those with DirecTV and kids im posting this here for you

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., July 10, 2012 – DIRECTV customers were left without Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central and 14 other channels today, after Viacom dropped its networks from DIRECTV at approximately midnight EDT. DIRECTV executives reached out to Viacom both yesterday and today with a new proposal and a request to keep the channels on while we continued to negotiate, but never heard back, so DIRECTV had to comply with their demand to take the channels down or face legal action.

“We have been very willing to get a deal done, but Viacom is pushing DIRECTV customers to pay more than a 30 percent increase, which equates to an extra $1 billion, despite the fact that the ratings for many of their main networks have plummeted and much of Viacom’s programming can be seen for free online,” said Derek Chang, DIRECTV executive vice president of Content, Strategy and Development. “Viacom sent us a letter last night that outlined our obligations to remove the channels by midnight or face legal action just as they were falsely telling viewers DIRECTV was responsible. Let’s be clear, Viacom took these channels away from DIRECTV viewers.”

On its Website http://www.directvpromise.com, an information resource for customers affected by programming disputes, DIRECTV pointed out that Viacom is demanding an exorbitant increase for many Viacom channels that customers may never watch. DIRECTV stated that if Viacom believes all of its networks are worth so much extra money, DIRECTV customers should have the right to choose which Viacom channels they want to pay to keep and which ones they don’t.

“We have absolutely no problem compensating Viacom fairly, but they have now knowingly put our customers in the unreasonable position of either accepting their extravagant financial demands or losing some of their favorite TV shows,” said Chang. “We feel our customers should not have to pay more for these networks than the customers of any other TV provider. We reiterated this to Viacom today and have not heard back from them.”

“We understand that Viacom’s actions are inconveniencing our customers so we are doing everything we can to help them find alternative programming until this gets resolved,” Chang added. “Customers will now see a variety of replacement channels available to them on one screen, in a Mix Channel format, when they tune to a Viacom channel. For instance, those going to the

Nickelodeon channel slot will see alternative choices for children’s programming such as The Disney Channel, ABC Family, Cartoon Network, PBS Sprout, The Hub and Boomerang. Customers can also see full-length Viacom episodes for free by going to http://www.directvpromise.com and clicking on the ‘Other Ways to Watch’ tab.”

[LynxFX]

Same shit, different day. They (Cable, Satellite, Studios) do this every time their contracts come up for renewal and it is the exact same argument.

Both are in the wrong. I just watched the video on directvpromise.com and talk about the kettle calling the pot black. "Viacom wants you to pay for channels you might not even watch or care about." Umm, hello!?? That is exactly what you (DirecTV, Cable etc) do too. I would love an ala carte selection of channels. I would probably only have 10 or so instead of 150. But you no, you force me to pay. This is a combination of your greed and the Studio's greed.

I became unplugged last month and honestly don't miss it. I stream shows I really need to see, or just watch OTA if I want some background noise. The rest can wait for Netflix or Amazon streaming.

[arcadeforest]

Outside of Nick for the kids I could really care less about having any of those channels. With Netflix and the theater pc I've got hooked up its really almost has become redundant. If it wasn't for the wife and kids I probably would drop pay tv (satellite) all together but the convience help them when they want to watch something.

[onyxbfly]

If it wasn't for my fiancee I would never get cable. Everything you need is on the net in some shape form or fashion. There are only a handful of channels worth watching. Yet you have to pay for packages which include channels you never heard of.

[R3P0]

I used to work for a cable company so im familiar with how these negotiations go, Most cable/satellite companies have begged for the ability to be able to allow ala cart purchases. DirecTV is doing this now as they know of the 16 channels turned off maybe 8 of them are worth having. Unfortunately the provider in this case Viacom tells them sorry it is an all or nothing approach. This is the way these networks get most of the BS channels we don't want into the packages. In a way these networks are double dipping, they make money off the commercials that air, then on top of that they make money off of the product negotiations. This is why our bills keep going so high, keep in mind for all that switch to netflix it is only a temporary solution as when those companies go to renegotiate the owners of that content will just do the same to Netflix/Hulu etc.

[fatediesel]

Viacom has taken down their recent content from their websites.

The takedown, which was first spotted by BTIG’s Richard Greenfield, seems to affect a wide range of content: Clips and older long-form episodes are still available but most current or new full episodes aren’t being offered at Comedycentral.com, MTV.com or the other network sites. “We still have hundreds of long-form episodes remain online, for free, but we have temporarily slimmed down our offerings as DirecTV markets them as an alternative to having our networks,” Viacom spokesman Carl Folta explained during a phone conversation; more than 4,500 episodes are still up, he told us after checking. Folta also said Hulu and other partners who pay Viacom for its programming will continue to get it and be able to serve it up as usual.

Viacom's stupidity amazes me. For one people are still going to be able to get their content on Hulu (or illegally through torrents) so it's not like they are preventing people from getting it, they now will just bypass Viacom's sites. This also is going to lead to more people taking DirecTV's side in the dispute.

Also, just for curiosity's sake I went to Comedy Central's site and when I got to the page a full screen commercial came up about DirecTV dropping Viacom's channels. It was about 30 seconds long and there was no way to close the commercial or mute it. People that go to Viacom's sites aren't going to want to see forced commercials about a carriage dispute.

[R3P0]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

Viacom has taken down their recent content from their websites.



Viacom's stupidity amazes me. For one people are still going to be able to get their content on Hulu (or illegally through torrents) so it's not like they are preventing people from getting it, they now will just bypass Viacom's sites. This also is going to lead to more people taking DirecTV's side in the dispute.

Also, just for curiosity's sake I went to Comedy Central's site and when I got to the page a full screen commercial came up about DirecTV dropping Viacom's channels. It was about 30 seconds long and there was no way to close the commercial or mute it. People that go to Viacom's sites aren't going to want to see forced commercials about a carriage dispute.

The thing is DirecTV is right this just does not affect them and there 30 million subscribers, Next year when Comcast or Time Warner are up for renewal the same crap is going to happen. As a consumer I am outraged when is enough money enough for these companies, A pay TV bill used to be 15 dollars a month and that included HBO. Why in gods name is it now 65 dollars for just the basic crap 3/4 of it you don't watch.

As a consumer why shouldn't I be allowed to choose what I want to pay for. Honestly most people will go after local sports channels, ESPN, local channels, USA, Spike, TNT, TBS, ABC Family, Vs, Nick Channels etc. Why if I want those should I have to pay for Lifetime, Chiller, OWN, ID, Planet Green when I never watch those, these big ass companies need to realize the time of ripping off the consumer is over because now we are more likely to cancel and tell them to piss off.

[R3P0]

As an FYI DirecTV just gave us all the Encore channels for free until at least the end of the month

To thank you for your patience until Viacom channels are returned, all 8 Encore Channels (including Encore Family) will be made available to all of our Residential customers thru July 31st. See Channels 535 to 542. We expect the Viacom channels to return soon.

[bearscubsfan87]

What good does that do if you already subscribe to them?

[R3P0]

Originally Posted by bearscubsfan87

What good does that do if you already subscribe to them?

No idea id call them and ask them that, tell em you want HBO or something, or money off

[bearscubsfan87]

I ought to be able to get something. I don't know, it is DirecTV though. A few years ago when my house burned, and I had to move in with my Grandparents while a new one was being built, and I subscribed to MLB Extra Innings. My house burned about a month into the season, but I had to pay for the full season anyway even though I couldn't watch it.

[R3P0]

Originally Posted by bearscubsfan87

I ought to be able to get something. I don't know, it is DirecTV though. A few years ago when my house burned, and I had to move in with my Grandparents while a new one was being built, and I subscribed to MLB Extra Innings. My house burned about a month into the season, but I had to pay for the full season anyway even though I couldn't watch it.

So you didn't apply for move transfer which they do for free? Obviously it probably wasn't the first thing on your mind, but they actually will work with you, in my case i email the office of the ceo just to speed things up.

[MrFattBill]

Originally Posted by R3P0

As a consumer I am outraged when is enough money enough for these companies, A pay TV bill used to be 15 dollars a month and that included HBO. Why in gods name is it now 65 dollars for just the basic crap 3/4 of it you don't watch.

No one forces you to pay for the privilege of watching television though. You can cancel your contract, pay that last bill and be done with all of it. Also regardless of the cost some people will always want everything to be free.

Bill

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by mrfattbill

no one forces you to pay for the privilege of watching television though. You can cancel your contract, pay that last bill and be done with all of it. Also regardless of the cost some people will always everything to be free.

Bill

agree.gif

News flash: Companies exist to make a profit for their investors, NOT to simply supply goods and services out of the goodness of their hearts. Costs and expenses rise annually. Those increased costs must be offset in some manner in order to maintain a profit. Economics 101 folks.

[R3P0]

Originally Posted by MrFattBill

No one forces you to pay for the privilege of watching television though. You can cancel your contract, pay that last bill and be done with all of it. Also regardless of the cost some people will always want everything to be free.

Bill

In that same regard your wrong, the consumer is forced to pay in some cases, IE local sports, even if I don't subscribe to TV but I buy say NFL Sunday ticket on ps3, in a local market game it will get blacked out stating it is not available to tune to your local channel to watch it. Personally I am not going to spend 1600 dollars in football tickets just to go see a game every Sunday.

I never said i had a problem paying, I just personally hate paying for something I wont watch.

The way these contracts are worked if i want to watch the games legitimately in HD I am forced by the companies to buy specific packages or pay for specific channels.

[Waboman]

IIRC, DirecTV would like Viacom to offer their channels a la carte. e.g., We only watch Nickelodeon for the kids. But I have to pay for all the other Viacom channels we don't watch.

[Member-115369]

Only thing I miss is watching The Daily Show on my DVR while eating breakfast. Don't watch anything else on the Viacom channels.

If it weren't for sports, I wouldn't have cable/satellite at all as I seldom watch anything else. Still have tempted to ditch it and just spend the money locally on some local microbrews at some local sports bars when my team is playing.

So in that vein, I'd love true ala carte options as all I need are the networks, ESPN 1&2 and a couple regional sports channels in the fall/winter for college football/basketball since I don't live in my team's area.

[Member-115369]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

Attachment 47886

News flash: Companies exist to make a profit for their investors, NOT to simply supply goods and services out of the goodness of their hearts. Costs and expenses rise annually. Those increased costs must be offset in some manner in order to maintain a profit. Economics 101 folks.

That is all true.

But it still sucks to have no options for just getting the few channels you actually watch.

Maybe eventually more things will go streaming and we can just pay networks directly to stream their content and not have to have a cable/satellite provider.

But if Viacom is any indication, they'll want you to buy bundles of their channels rather than just the 1 or 2 you want anyway.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by dmaul1114

That is all true.

But it still sucks to have no options for just getting the few channels you actually watch.

Maybe eventually more things will go streaming and we can just pay networks directly to stream their content and not have to have a cable/satellite provider.

But if Viacom is any indication, they'll want you to buy bundles of their channels rather than just the 1 or 2 you want anyway.

Don't get me wrong. I'd much rather have the option to pay for only the channels I would actually watch, but I would imagine the end cost would be just as high, if not higher than the costs of the 'bundles'. My guess is there are many stations out there that only exist because they are being subsidized by others provided in the bundle.

My complaint is with folks who insist upon blaming companies for doing what they need to do in order to make a profit so they can remain a viable enterprise. Companies that don't make profits are not going to be around long to provide whatever goods/services these people are demanding.

[Uniquely]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

My complaint is with folks who insist upon blaming companies for doing what they need to do in order to make a profit so they can remain a viable enterprise. Companies that don't make profits are not going to be around long to provide whatever goods/services these people are demanding.

If they need a 30% increase from the previous year just to remain profitable, then they have been seriously mismanaging things for years.