Hotwire
Dealin' W/ Demons
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- Jun 14, 2006
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http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.c...es-channel-blackout-in-20-million-households/
As I'm sure many of you are aware, DirecTV and Viacom are fighting. Basically, Viacom wants to raise it's current contract by 30%, or $1 BILLION!!
Now, I'm sure some of you are thinking, well, I'll just switch to Dish Network, or Comcast, or some other provider. However, there's more going on here than just two billion dollar companies fighting over money.
See, if DirecTV caves in and gives Viacom what they want, than what's to stop Viacom, or any other big network, from doing this same thing to another TV provider? If they can bend DirecTV over the barrel and force them to raise the rates of all their subscribes, they WILL do it to every other provider when their contracts run out, as well! This is a situation that every TV provider faces at some point. If the network raises their rates, provider's really only have two choices. Raise the rates of their subscribers or, drop the channels. They are really in a no-win situation.
On the other hand, if Viacom is forced to cave in to DirecTV's stance, then that actually helps all other providers out there. It shows companies like Viacom that they cannot act like a little kid and hold their content over our heads to get more money. I mean, Viacom is even blocking the free episodes on their websites! No matter who your TV provider is! Talk about childish!
What are your thoughts on this situation?
As I'm sure many of you are aware, DirecTV and Viacom are fighting. Basically, Viacom wants to raise it's current contract by 30%, or $1 BILLION!!
Now, I'm sure some of you are thinking, well, I'll just switch to Dish Network, or Comcast, or some other provider. However, there's more going on here than just two billion dollar companies fighting over money.
See, if DirecTV caves in and gives Viacom what they want, than what's to stop Viacom, or any other big network, from doing this same thing to another TV provider? If they can bend DirecTV over the barrel and force them to raise the rates of all their subscribes, they WILL do it to every other provider when their contracts run out, as well! This is a situation that every TV provider faces at some point. If the network raises their rates, provider's really only have two choices. Raise the rates of their subscribers or, drop the channels. They are really in a no-win situation.
On the other hand, if Viacom is forced to cave in to DirecTV's stance, then that actually helps all other providers out there. It shows companies like Viacom that they cannot act like a little kid and hold their content over our heads to get more money. I mean, Viacom is even blocking the free episodes on their websites! No matter who your TV provider is! Talk about childish!
What are your thoughts on this situation?
