The Weather Channel and DirecTV Reach Deal!

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A deal is done.

DirecTVDTV +2.25% reached an agreement to restore the Weather Channel to its program lineup, say people familiar with the matter, after a monthslong dispute between the two companies over program fees.As part of the deal, DirecTV agreed to a small increase in the fees it pays to Weather Channel, although the increase will be less than the penny a subscriber a month the channel wanted, one of the people said. Weather Channel now receives about 13 cents per subscriber a month, estimates research firm SNL Kagan.

Still, any increase marks a retreat for the satellite operator, the second biggest pay-TV company, which serves about 20 million subscribers. DirecTV had wanted to severely reduce the fees it pays Weather Channel, the Journal has previously reported, arguing that consumers were growing more reliant on the Web and mobile devices for weather information. The dispute highlighted how changing consumer media habits are affecting the value of pay television channels. The Weather Channel was taken off DirecTV service in mid-January.

As part of the agreement, Weather Channel has agreed to increase the airtime it gives to weather related news, two of the people said.
Read the rest at...
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles...0001424052702304819004579489664170964926.html
 
Honest, does anyone even watch this channel these days? While it used to be a 'go to' channel back in the day, I never have reason to visit since weather.com, my smartphone, and even DVR are easier/more convenient choices.
 
The Weather Channel Returns to DIRECTV

04/08/2014

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. & ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Weather Channel will return to DIRECTV (channel 362) tomorrow as both companies have settled on a new agreement, the financial terms of which were not disclosed.
As part of the new pact, The Weather Channel agreed to reduce reality programming by half on weekdays; return instant local weather and allow authenticated DIRECTV customers to watch The Weather Channel’s video programming on multiple devices inside and outside the home.

“Our apologies to DIRECTV and their customers for the disruption of our service and for initiating a public campaign,” said David Kenny, CEO of the Weather Company, parent to The Weather Channel. “Our viewers deserve better than a public dispute and we pledge to reward their loyalty with exceptional programming and more weather focused news.”
“It’s a shame these disputes are played out on a public stage, but I’m pleased that we’ve been able to work together with The Weather Channel in a way that will benefit everyone,” said Dan York, DIRECTV’s chief content officer. “I know this was frustrating for many of our customers, but their patience was ultimately rewarded with a better deal and a better product.”

About The Weather Company: Where the World Gets its Weather Through The Weather Channel, weather.com, Weather Underground, Intellicast.com, and third-party publishing partners, the company provides millions of people every day with the world's best weather forecasts, content and data, connecting with them through television, online, mobile and tablet screens. Through WSI and Weather Central, the company delivers superior professional weather services for the media, aviation, marine and energy sectors. The Weather Company is owned by a consortium made up of NBCUniversal and the private equity firms The Blackstone Group and Bain Capital. For more information, visit www.weather.com/press.

About DIRECTV: DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV) is one of the world’s leading providers of digital television entertainment services delivering a premium video experience through state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming and industry leading customer service to more than 37 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America. In the U.S., DIRECTV offers its 20 million customers access to more than 195 HD channels and Dolby-Digital® 5.1 theater-quality sound, access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, Emmy-award winning technology and higher customer satisfaction than the leading cable companies for 13 years running. DIRECTV Latin America, through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin American countries, leads the pay TV category in technology, programming and service, delivering an unrivaled digital television experience to more than 17 million customers. DIRECTV sports and entertainment properties include two Regional Sports Networks (Rocky Mountain and Pittsburgh), and minority ownership interests in Root Sports Northwest and Game Show Network. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit www.directv.com.

Source: DIRECTV
 
Here is the official press release... I find it funny to see TWC appologizing. :D

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. & ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Weather Channel will return to DIRECTV (channel 362) tomorrow as both companies have settled on a new agreement, the financial terms of which were not disclosed.

As part of the new pact, The Weather Channel agreed to reduce reality programming by half on weekdays; return instant local weather and allow authenticated DIRECTV customers to watch The Weather Channel’s video programming on multiple devices inside and outside the home.

“Our apologies to DIRECTV and their customers for the disruption of our service and for initiating a public campaign,” said David Kenny, CEO of the Weather Company, parent to The Weather Channel. “Our viewers deserve better than a public dispute and we pledge to reward their loyalty with exceptional programming and more weather focused news.”

“It’s a shame these disputes are played out on a public stage, but I’m pleased that we’ve been able to work together with The Weather Channel in a way that will benefit everyone,” said Dan York, DIRECTV’s chief content officer. “I know this was frustrating for many of our customers, but their patience was ultimately rewarded with a better deal and a better product.”
 
Keep WeatherNation! If TWC starts airing that reality crap more and more, there is another channel to turn to for weather. Why should TWC be a monopoly on the weather.
 
I think this is a bigger deal that we realize right now. For the first time, a distributor has dictated content to a program provider. While I'm on DirecTV's side in this case, I'm not so sure this is a good thing long-term.
 
Well I assume it leaves them on DIRECTV as well since last week DIRECTV signed a new long term deal with them.
I wouldn't be so sure. I suspect Directv has better lawyers than Weather Nation and they may have included an "out" for Directv, if they chose to use it. I can't just remember how E* ****ed that other, smaller weather channel (can't even remember their name now - nor does it really matter).
 
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