DirecTV Set to Drop 26 Viacom Channels - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 07-10-2012, 01:37 PM

DirecTV is set to drop 26 Viacom channels, including Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, VH1, CMT, Spike TV and TV Land, at midnight on Tuesday after the media conglom said the satcaster ''rejected all of our proposals to renew our agreement.''

The development is shocking, potentially hitting one of the most powerful network groups in the nation, but comes after a dramatic dip in Nickelodeon ratings and an increasingly hard line by video operators against fee increases.

Viacom said it accounts for 20% of DirecTV viewing and less than 5% of its fees.

''DirecTV provided Viacom with a counter proposal that included a lower rate than Viacom receives from any other distributor in the industry. With this offer, our negotiations have reached an impasse,'' Viacom said.

It said it has been negotiating for months and offered DirecTV an extension past the agreement's original June 30 expiration date. As recently as Monday, it said it had made significant economic movement in direct conversations with DirecTV. The expired deal is seven years old, ''ancient by the standards of the ever-evolving media industry, which means that DirecTV has enjoyed way below market rates for Viacom's networks for a very long time.''

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118056385

LUNCH · 07-10-2012, 01:55 PM

Since I'm not a fan of Pay-TV companies or criminal outfits like Viacom etc... I hesitate to to take sides here. I'll just mention 2 things.It's probably the same ole' con game and they'll reach an agreement and resign Viacoms worthless channels.--In the unlikely event that they do not give in to Viacom,I say GOOD.Viacoms channels and many other Pay-TV channels for that matter have no business being on the air period.

Regulus · 07-10-2012, 02:32 PM

As I read this, the One Percenters who own Viacom want to QUADRUPLE the fees they charge Direct TV. Naturally these costs would be passed on to subscribers, in the form of higher prices. Of course, this will only increase the number of people who have already cancelled their subscriptions to Pay-TV. I see the Hand writing on the wall folks, collapse is imminent !

Mr. Television · 07-10-2012, 02:32 PM

The only channel of those I was is TV Land and only because of Hot in Cleveland. I get sick and tired of these Satellite and Cable companies and these networks holding the American people hostage.

LUNCH · 07-10-2012, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regulus

As I read this, the One Percenters who own Viacom want to QUADRUPLE the fees they charge Direct TV. Naturally these costs would be passed on to subscribers, in the form of higher prices. Of course, this will only increase the number of people who have already cancelled their subscriptions to Pay-TV.

Viacom wants to actually increase their fees by 4 times?--I'll mention commercials once again,with all the ads they show they should actually PAY people to view their channels.I dunno, the whole TV industry has become such a complicated mess in America,maybe something like the real BBC channels or similair are needed here now.

Mr. Television · 07-10-2012, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

The only channel of those I was is TV Land and only because of Hot in Cleveland. I get sick and tired of these Satellite and Cable companies and these networks holding the American people hostage.

The more I think about it let Direct Tv drop them. As far as I'm concerned, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, VH1, CMT, & Spike TV are nothing but trash channels anyway. I have enough Hot in Cleveland episodes on my DVR to last another year.

Regulus · 07-10-2012, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

I have enough Hot in Cleveland episodes on my DVR to last another year.

I have enough DVDs to last the rest of my Life!

loaferman · 07-10-2012, 03:19 PM

Given the state of the economy I would think the customer will balk at a rate hike like what is being described. I say drop them, without the carrier they have no way to get their commercials seen and Viacom will lose money if DirectTV holds out. I can't think of anything on those channels I would miss and a rate hike to keep them seems to defy logic. As the prior post said we pay to get the channels then watch commercials on top of it, let Viacom choke on losing both.

yankeesrj12 · 07-10-2012, 04:13 PM

The two will reach a deal at the last minute, customers will get a fee increase, and no one will care. It happens all the time.

Mr. Television · 07-10-2012, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yankeesrj12

The two will reach a deal at the last minute, customers will get a fee increase, and no one will care. It happens all the time.

Oh I'm sure they'll reach an agreement. I'm not even worried about that. They just publicize this to get the customers in a frenzy and to justify their rate increases.

tiredmike59 · 07-10-2012, 04:57 PM

I cancelled DirecTV over 10 years ago,They still send me brochures in the mail, " We miss you ".

CommonTater · 07-10-2012, 05:40 PM

Fair is fair.....while we may not watch all those channels, it's quite a bit to be removed and IF we lose them, Direct TV should lower our cost. I know they won't and don't promise us anything but it would be only be fair and just.

Zoneboy · 07-10-2012, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiredmike59

I cancelled DirecTV over 10 years ago,They still send me brochures in the mail, " We miss you ".

They miss your money, not you.

Mr. Television · 07-10-2012, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommonTater

Fair is fair.....while we may not watch all those channels, it's quite a bit to be removed and IF we lose them, Direct TV should lower our cost. I know they won't and don't promise us anything but it would be only be fair and just.

One thing they will never do is lower your bill. lol

UMFaninMD · 07-10-2012, 08:01 PM

I don't watch any of those channels but if they are removed DirecTV should reduce their prices. They're already removing channels and putting them into the more expensive packages.

07-10-2012, 01:37 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,386	DirecTV Set to Drop 26 Viacom Channels DirecTV is set to drop 26 Viacom channels, including Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, VH1, CMT, Spike TV and TV Land, at midnight on Tuesday after the media conglom said the satcaster ''rejected all of our proposals to renew our agreement.'' The development is shocking, potentially hitting one of the most powerful network groups in the nation, but comes after a dramatic dip in Nickelodeon ratings and an increasingly hard line by video operators against fee increases. Viacom said it accounts for 20% of DirecTV viewing and less than 5% of its fees. ''DirecTV provided Viacom with a counter proposal that included a lower rate than Viacom receives from any other distributor in the industry. With this offer, our negotiations have reached an impasse,'' Viacom said. It said it has been negotiating for months and offered DirecTV an extension past the agreement's original June 30 expiration date. As recently as Monday, it said it had made significant economic movement in direct conversations with DirecTV. The expired deal is seven years old, ''ancient by the standards of the ever-evolving media industry, which means that DirecTV has enjoyed way below market rates for Viacom's networks for a very long time.'' http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118056385
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

07-10-2012, 01:55 PM	#2
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	Since I'm not a fan of Pay-TV companies or criminal outfits like Viacom etc... I hesitate to to take sides here. I'll just mention 2 things.It's probably the same ole' con game and they'll reach an agreement and resign Viacoms worthless channels.--In the unlikely event that they do not give in to Viacom,I say GOOD.Viacoms channels and many other Pay-TV channels for that matter have no business being on the air period.
	Last edited by LUNCH; 07-10-2012 at 03:45 PM.

07-10-2012, 02:32 PM	#3
Regulus Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 07, 2011 Location: Port Orange, Florida Avatar - Poiuyt Posts: 3,374	As I read this, the One Percenters who own Viacom want to QUADRUPLE the fees they charge Direct TV. Naturally these costs would be passed on to subscribers, in the form of higher prices. Of course, this will only increase the number of people who have already cancelled their subscriptions to Pay-TV. I see the Hand writing on the wall folks, collapse is imminent !
	__________________ Grail Shows: *Doc Elliot, Owen Marshall-Counselor of Law, Here's Boomer, Three for the Road, Holmes and YoYo* Bucket List Shows: *Hot Wheels, Skyhawks, Run Joe Run, Westwood*

07-10-2012, 02:32 PM	#4
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	The only channel of those I was is TV Land and only because of Hot in Cleveland. I get sick and tired of these Satellite and Cable companies and these networks holding the American people hostage.
	__________________ Sonny

07-10-2012, 05:40 PM	#12
CommonTater no longer a forum member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 09, 2010 Posts: 298	Fair is fair.....while we may not watch all those channels, it's quite a bit to be removed and IF we lose them, Direct TV should lower our cost. I know they won't and don't promise us anything but it would be only be fair and just.
	__________________ It's amazing how differently we see things once we truly suffer. Please be kind to others, we never know what someone is dealing with. How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time.

07-10-2012, 03:19 PM	#8
loaferman Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 23, 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 642	Given the state of the economy I would think the customer will balk at a rate hike like what is being described. I say drop them, without the carrier they have no way to get their commercials seen and Viacom will lose money if DirectTV holds out. I can't think of anything on those channels I would miss and a rate hike to keep them seems to defy logic. As the prior post said we pay to get the channels then watch commercials on top of it, let Viacom choke on losing both.

07-10-2012, 04:13 PM	#9
yankeesrj12 Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 09, 2008 Posts: 4,335	The two will reach a deal at the last minute, customers will get a fee increase, and no one will care. It happens all the time.

07-10-2012, 04:57 PM	#11
tiredmike59 Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 05, 2010 Location: OUTLAW STATE {MO} Posts: 1,868	I cancelled DirecTV over 10 years ago,They still send me brochures in the mail, " We miss you ".

07-10-2012, 08:01 PM	#15
UMFaninMD I love a mystery Senior Member Join Date: Apr 19, 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,287	I don't watch any of those channels but if they are removed DirecTV should reduce their prices. They're already removing channels and putting them into the more expensive packages.