Dish trying to get Disney to kick back some ESPN fees

[ChadT41]

My bill is being reduced by $5 for 3 months as compensation for my troubles because of a billing snafu that was subsequently fixed and reimbursed. So I shouldn't receive an additional discount others get if ESPN lowers their rates temporarily?

In this case, correct... I can go into a lengthy reason as to why, but regardless my answer I promise it will remain unpopular. However, don't you have the Flex Plan?

 

[dare2be]

In this case, correct... I can go into a lengthy reason as to why, but regardless my answer I promise it will remain unpopular. However, don't you have the Flex Plan?

I was speaking hypothetically as someone who might not have the flex pack.

So, if the dispute with Univision was still going on and the Latino Bonus pack was still reduced by $5 for those who have it, they couldn't get the ESPN discount? Your reasoning is completely unreasonable.

 

[ChadT41]

With the consideration that every single customer agree they do not expect any compensation or substitution, I beg to differ on it being unreasonable.

 

[sam_gordon]

With the consideration that every single customer agree they do not expect any compensation or substitution, I beg to differ on it being unreasonable.

It's as unreasonable as expecting local broadcasters shouldn't charge retransmission fees. <ducks and runs>

 

[Yespage]

Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and ESPN waiving fees. Priceless.

It comes down to what is in the contract.

 

[dare2be]

With the consideration that every single customer agree they do not expect any compensation or substitution, I beg to differ on it being unreasonable.

I started receiving the Latino Bonus pack discount after I was already getting refer a friend discounts, so the precedent already contradicts your wishful thinking.

 

[ChadT41]

I started receiving the Latino Bonus pack discount after I was already getting refer a friend discounts, so the precedent already contradicts your wishful thinking.

I'm not saying that's what they'd do. I'm saying that's what they should do. Remember, this entire conversation has been hypothetical based on the wishes of Disney giving a price break, so everything we have said has been just our own hopes and desires.

there is another reason I want them to do it that way. American paytv customers are honestly some of the worst customers in the world. I'm not saying this as a necessarily bad thing, but people have gotten so use to being able to call and get credits that it has gotten so far out of control. If all providers started to reign in the credit BS, I bet across the industry we would see a large decrease in the overall costs of television delivery.

 

[dare2be]

If all providers started to reign in the credit BS, I bet across the industry we would see a large decrease in the overall costs of television delivery

LMAO!! Just the opposite.

It is the exorbitant price hikes, forced bundling, and channel extortion thrust by channel owners on providers and consumers creating the outrageous price pressure that caused the rampant use of discounts in the first place. If consumers were to just lay down and accept whatever price was thrown at them, costs would be even higher.

 

[ChadT41]

We will have to agree to disagree on that. I think we are entering pit realm. I don't fault them for doing it, as they know what numbers they have to hit. The beauty of capitalism. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[sam_gordon]

there is another reason I want them to do it that way. American paytv customers are honestly some of the worst customers in the world. I'm not saying this as a necessarily bad thing, but people have gotten so use to being able to call and get credits that it has gotten so far out of control. If all providers started to reign in the credit BS, I bet across the industry we would see a large decrease in the overall costs of television delivery.

It worked out well for JC Penny, so it should work out for pay TV.

 

[Juan]

Nope, the customers that want live sports would get a discount. The ones that wouldn't be getting an ADDITIONAL discount, are the ones currently receiving a discount already. Their bills are already reduced. That is the point.

Except ALL customers in most packages are paying for sports..a much smaller number are not

 

[dare2be]

We will have to agree to disagree on that. I think we are entering pit realm. I don't fault them for doing it, as they know what numbers they have to hit. The beauty of capitalism. Different strokes for different folks.

You can disagree with reality, but that would be unreal. As prices got too high too fast for the consumer to bear, the increase of programming disputes took off, which increased the asking for credits.

 

[rvvaquero]

Correct, if you are receiving a discount for any of those reasons, then no further discount should be expected. The exception would be a TWOS credit.

I admire you for your relentless defense of your stockholder position, but your argument defies logic. It's like saying that since I got a discount on my new Ford, I'm not entitled to warranty work.

There are two separate issues at stake. I get a discount for committing to a 2 year contract and guaranteeing DISH an income from me for two years. I get a discount because I have never had a technician out in the 20+ years of business with DISH. I get a discount for having a good credit rating. I get a discount for whatever reason, because it's in DISH's best interest to give me one.

On the other hand, I'm paying for ESPN just like most people. If DISH gets a rebate from ESPN and decides to share it with ESPN paying customers, I should get my share.

Of course, all of this is just a fairy tale to be used in the next negotiation between DISH and ESPN. See post #43 above.

 

[Jim5506]

AG in N.Y. tells cable providers to cut sports program fees - NewsBreak

New York's top law enforcement officer demanded that the big cable and satellite television providers cut or eliminate fees tied to live sports programming during the coronavirus pandemic, saying customers are being forced to pay for access to events that don't exist.

www.newsbreak.com

 

[david_jr]

Curious how AG James can demand providers refund money if said providers do not get a refund from the content owners on the other end. Why is she not demanding that all of the sports leagues that are not playing refund money back to the providers so they can refund the customers? While she's at it why doesn't she just order that all of the players give back their salary to the content owners so they can refund to the providers so they can refund the customers? Sounds simple right?

 

[ChadT41]

Curious how AG James can demand providers refund money if said providers do not get a refund from the content owners on the other end. Why is she not demanding that all of the sports leagues that are not playing refund money back to the providers so they can refund the customers? While she's at it why doesn't she just order that all of the players give back their salary to the content owners so they can refund to the providers so they can refund the customers? Sounds simple right?

This particular AG is a clickbait AG. She honestly is terrible at everything she does, but dang it, she knows how to make a headline.

 

[zippyfrog]

Very interesting read - doesn't look like Dish will get anything back in terms of rebates: SBJ Media: ESPN Not Close To Breaching Affiliate Deals

"Even though we're coming up on nearly two months without live sports, ESPN is not close to breaching its affiliate deals, which call for a specific number of live event programming hours over a full 12-month period, according to multiple sources. If ESPN cannot meet those programming benchmarks after 12 months, it still would have an additional six months to remedy the situation. That means that, legally speaking, distributors can't start seeking rebates until September 2021 at the earliest."

 

[Yespage]

Jebus, for sports to be off for 18 months, we are talking cataclysm, and there would likely be no Dish, ESPN, and possibly one of the continents left.

 

[ChadT41]

Jebus, for sports to be off for 18 months, we are talking cataclysm, and there would likely be no Dish, ESPN, and possibly one of the continents left.

Well based on that, it's not for sports to be off for that long, but sports to show so many hours.

 

[SamCdbs]

And, behind a paywall, today's Sports Business Journal reports that ESPN's contract with providers is based on specific hours of live sports, and specific hours of particular live sports, PER YEAR. A target that Disney states is not in jeopardy of being missed, assuming the current sports restart schedule is achieved.

Thus the issue will be solved not via blustering to a clickbait tabloids, nor by politicians without jurisdiction over the matter, but quietly, calmly, and professionally behind the scenes. As predicted.