DirecTV Drops Viacom Channels 378
An anonymous reader writes "DirecTV has dropped all of Viacom's channels. This includes channels such as MTV, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon. The drop is reported to be over a carrier fee dispute. It appears programming content can magically disappear from satellite, too, and not just from streaming services. Viacom said it was 'because contract talks with DirecTV had “reached an impasse.” DirecTV, in turn, said in a statement that it had offered Viacom “increased fees for their networks going forward; we just can’t afford the extreme increases they are asking for.”' I guess pirating and physical media is the only way to make sure the content we pay for doesn't disappear."
What does that do to contracts? (Score:4, Interesting)
I was considering switching from Comcast to DirecTV recently. Without Comedy Central (specifically The Daily Show and The Colbert Report) I wouldn't switch. But what if I had switched and they dropped one of the main channels I wanted? Would I have grounds to get out of a term contract? Would I have to go to small claims court if they resisted?
Re:I don't see much to miss (Score:4, Interesting)
the bigger thing I guess is that if you had subscribed to a satellite service, signed up for a channel package and then *boom* it's out?
- another angle to look at this is that viacom viewed directv as a good robbery candidate since they had contractually obliged to deliver these channels to their clients? ("hey, they can't drop us, they already resold the service we're selling to them hahahah")
Re:Piracy is the answer (Score:5, Interesting)
SABnzbd [sabnzbd.org] + SickBeard [sickbeard.com] + AstraWeb [astraweb.com] = FU and your silly games
Re:I don't see much to miss (Score:4, Interesting)
...since they had contractually obliged to deliver these channels to their clients?
You can bet there is a thirty-day change provision in the DirectTV contract that allows them to change the lineup with a month's notice. Just like cable.
Speaking of that, Comcast/xfinity customers in my town have just gotten a letter telling them that C/x are dropping ALL analog services on Aug 14. They're really helpful in telling people that they'll need to add digital adapters to any analog TV, and even say that there will be no monthly service charge for those adapters. They list the standard desktop box, the DTA, and CableCard as possibilities.
Then in the next paragraph they say there will be a $1.99 monthly service charge for any device that is added.
I hope my state AG will discuss this with them. Probably won't.
The same letter tells us, indirectly, that we are losing all the Portland network stations (being in the middle, we currently get Portland and Eugene markets.) And we're losing the PBS station that is IN THIS TOWN, and will be getting the one from Eugene instead.
I love Comcast.