DIRECTV Applauds Time Warner Cable For Fighting Back In Dispute with CBS

[Scott Greczkowski]

[h=2]DIRECTV Applauds Time Warner Cable For Fighting Back In Dispute with CBS[/h]
EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- DIRECTV released the following statement today in support of Time Warner Cable:
"Just like the characters in CBS' Under The Dome, all pay TV customers are feeling trapped and helpless as broadcasters expect them to absorb ridiculous rate increases for the exact same programming. In trying to protect our own customers, DIRECTV has certainly had its share of these battles, so we applaud Time Warner Cable for fighting back against exorbitant programming cost increases. We are also appalled to learn that CBS is now punishing DIRECTV customers, who may happen to have Time Warner as their Internet provider, by denying them access to CBS content online. The conduct of content companies in their efforts to extract outrageous fees from distributors and consumers may have reached a new low."

 

[ejb1980]

Time Warner Cable customers are denied many things by simply having Time Warner Cable and Directv. *cough ESPN3

 

[dkst0426]

I had always thought that these disputes all boiled down to brinksmanship, since there always seemed to be a last-minute deal struck. Surprised to see the trigger actually pulled on this one.

I do miss ESPN3, but that's about the only thing I miss about having Time Warner Cable.

 

[Teehar]

Nice to see DTV come out in support of TWC on this issue.I think Dish should as well as other cable providers.If they will unite on this front,the broadcasters will finally get the message.

 

[Mr Tony]

I had always thought that these disputes all boiled down to brinksmanship, since there always seemed to be a last-minute deal struck.

They had an extension but obviously that didnt last long

 

[cypherstream]

Nice to see DTV come out in support of TWC on this issue.I think Dish should as well as other cable providers.If they will unite on this front,the broadcasters will finally get the message.

Yeah Dish should say something too. But we already know their relationship with CBS isn't that great since the Hopper. Heck CBS parent owned CNET wouldn't allow the hopper to be product of the year.

Comcast should say something too... after all its CBS, not NBC. But I guess they have a special interest being part NBC.

All providers should say something. You can get CBS for free off an antenna. Cable you are paying for the convenience. Then Showtime... well People are PAYING EXTRA for Showtime. I know I do with DirecTV and I would be PISSED if I couldn't watch the last season of Dexter paying for a product and not getting it. I'm not affected by this dispute, but I saw on the Dexter page on Facebook that TWC customers lost CBS owned Showtime as well.

 

[texasbrit]

This "retransmission fees" situation is getting completely out of control. The financial model for the networks is collapsing and they will do anything to find revenue. Since the networks are getting the OTA bandwidth free of charge (look at how much the wireless network companies have to pay for their bandwidth), and the cable/sat networks are increasing the number of people seeing the commercials, I don't think the local networks should be allowed ANY retransmission fees.

Look at the Aereo/Fox dispute as another part of this situation.

 

[zim2dive]

I ran DTV's statement thru the Google translation widget.. it came out as "TWC (and Dish on other occasions) we thank you for doing the dirty work that we are unwilling to do.. and thanks for helping convince many of your customers to switch to DTV"

Would be nice to see DTV be more willing to be the one to take disputes far enough to actually lose some channels for a while.. but as everyone here proudly(??) points out, DTV rarely has this happen.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

I am kind of disappointed that DISH hasn't joined in their support. If the companies would all stand together it would be better for all.

 

[yourbeliefs]

Personally I think it's a big d*ck waving convention with the customers caught in the middle. I find it hard to sympathize with two billion dollar corporations, when the bottom line is that neither would go out of business if the other got what the other was asking for. I'm just glad I don't live in NY because between TWC and Cablevision it sounds like if you don't have D* or FiOS, turning on your TV is like a game of "how many stations do I still have working today?"

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

I was listening to 1019 WINS out if NYC and EVERY commercial break they had an anti Time Warner ad.

Then I remembered WINS is owned by CBS.

Sent from my iPhone using SatelliteGuys

 

[lacubs]

i know WFAN660 are running ad every commercial break also own by CBS

 

[rapidturtle]

It's a shame that some of these contracts didn't renew around the same time. It would be a lot tougher on CBS if Directv and TWC both had contract renewals at the same time. It would be hard on CBS to loose that amount of viewership.

 

[mruk69]

Today its CBS, tomorrow it will be NBC, ABC or FOX. Dish and others definitely need to support TWC.

 

[osu1991]

CBS says Time Warner Cable a la carte proposal is 'a sham'

http://www.theverge.com/2013/8/5/45...e-would-offer-cbs-a-la-carte-to-solve-dispute

CBS response to Time Warner's offer to carry CBS stations alacarte.

"Today's so-called proposal is a sham, a public relations vehicle designed to distract from the fact that Time Warner Cable is not negotiating in good faith. Anyone familiar with the entertainment business knows that the economics and structure of the cable industry doesn't work that way and isn't likely to for quite some time. In short, this was an empty gesture from a company that is expert at them."

 

[Teehar]

CBS says Time Warner Cable a la carte proposal is 'a sham'

http://www.theverge.com/2013/8/5/45...e-would-offer-cbs-a-la-carte-to-solve-dispute

CBS response to Time Warner's offer to carry CBS stations alacarte.

"Today's so-called proposal is a sham, a public relations vehicle designed to distract from the fact that Time Warner Cable is not negotiating in good faith. Anyone familiar with the entertainment business knows that the economics and structure of the cable industry doesn't work that way and isn't likely to for quite some time. In short, this was an empty gesture from a company that is expert at them."

More like the pot calling the kettle black,if ya ask me.

 

[zim2dive]

Today its CBS, tomorrow it will be NBC, ABC or FOX. Dish and others definitely need to support TWC.

IMO, "Support" would be that DTV would take their own negotiations to the point of channels going off the air. And that doesn't happen often. This is hollow words until DTV is willing to put its channel lineup where it's mouth is. I can dig up numerous quotes from the members here about how DTV rarely let's it get that far.

 

[Blackloz]

Like I said in another post. The FCC should step in and say ok the era of fee fights is now over and set up new regulations that seeing as local signals are free OTA they will set up a simple basic fee for all providers to pay no more no less, no negotiating, no arguing.

 

[Hall]

It's a shame that some of these contracts didn't renew around the same time. It would be a lot tougher on CBS if Directv and TWC both had contract renewals at the same time. It would be hard on CBS to loose that amount of viewership.

You can be sure that they have renewal dates staggered as much as possible and on purpose !

 

[LER]

It's a shame that some of these contracts didn't renew around the same time. It would be a lot tougher on CBS if Directv and TWC both had contract renewals at the same time. It would be hard on CBS to loose that amount of viewership.

You think that that's not intentional? I have a bridge.....