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Fox withholds programming in a contract dispute. - 10/16/2010 4:48:03 AM

DarkSteven

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For some reason, Fox is renegotiating several contracts simultaneously: http://www.cnn.com/2010/BUSINESS/10/16/fox.cablevision.dispute/index.html?hpt=T2

This is a recent phenomenon. The MSOs (cable or sat providers) provide a means for a content provider to get their programming out, and the content provider provides the programming that an MSO provides, in a classic symbiotic relationship. Recebtly there have been several cases where a content provider pulls its programming after a contract renegotiation doesn't go as well as it would like, essentially "going on strike". This is always followed by both the MSO and the provider running nasty ads to consumers, blaming the other party for lack of shows.

Personally, I'd love to see clauses in MSO-consumer agreements that force the MSO to grant a credit for missed programming due to contract disputes, and a means of passing that loss directly to the content provider.

Fox is disputing with two MSOs right now, Cablevision and Dish. Together they have about 18 million subscribers. Usually, an MSO has to be concerned about its subs defecting to another MSO while the "strike" is in effect. Here there are less chances of that occurring...

The upshot is that the consumer pays a monthly fee to the MSO for the programming and sits through commercials, and still has no guarantee that the programming he pays for will be available.

I think that we might be getting close to the tipping point where consumers 'cut the cord" and cancel their subscriptions and get content off the Web. That's the MSOs' nightmare.

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The small-breasted ones want larger breasts. The large-breasted ones want smaller ones. The straight-haired ones curl their hair, and the curly-haired ones straighten theirs...

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RE: Fox withholds programming in a contract dispute. - 10/16/2010 6:21:39 AM

Kaliko

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Yep - my Sir has no cable or satellite. When he wants to watch something, he just has a cable that goes into his television from his computer.

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RE: Fox withholds programming in a contract dispute. - 10/16/2010 8:04:33 AM

Musicmystery

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quote:

Personally, I'd love to see clauses in MSO-consumer agreements that force the MSO to grant a credit for missed programming due to contract disputes, and a means of passing that loss directly to the content provider.

So if you can't get FOX programming, subscribers have to pay more...right???

[A local convenience chain a few years ago had a morning special--donut, coffee, and the NY Post for a special price. I asked the clerk how much more to get it without the Post. She just looked at me. I paid for my coffee and wished her a good day.]

(in reply to DarkSteven)

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RE: Fox withholds programming in a contract dispute. - 10/16/2010 10:40:10 AM

LilMichele

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All I know is I cannot watch Sons of Anarchy on FX now and it's REALLY got my friggin' Irish up! Where am I supposed to watch bad ass bikers that look that good now?

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RE: Fox withholds programming in a contract dispute. - 10/16/2010 11:06:16 AM

Lockit

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Our cable company had one of these disputes not too long ago and I do believe that FX was one they had a dispute with. I would come online and get these messages or polls asking the customer if we wanted them to stand up to these programmers and fight to keep our bills down or cave in to them. I loved the wording they used. Of course we want our cable bill to stay low... we were forced into a contract to start with... don't they know their job and that these disputes will happen and plan for that or do they think we won't be happy when they use their options of our few options and raise their prices?

We had commercials about this dispute and they wanted us all on board to fight the bad guys, making us think that the stations provided with our favorite programs were at fault and wanting too much and we would end up paying the price. From what I have read in all contracts with cable companies is that they have all the options, sometimes a pretty solid monopoly and are very aggressive in how they conduct business with the advantage of being right in all disputes because they have the power. I view this as the other side may have similar agenda's but I like them better. lol They don't say I didn't pay when I did, they don't call me and harass me constantly and most of the time when I want their services, I get them. I can't say that for the cable companies. lol

I was once charged over $700. for two months service and I had no movie package deals. It took six months of disputes with them to finally clear it up. Every couple of days they would threaten me if I didn't go pay at least a certain amount, I would be cut off. I couldn't afford to switch companies and even if I did, I couldn't get online service through them. My son got involved and I was proud that he had grown up, learned a lot and while I was weaker and couldn't deal with them anymore, he did. Finally he let them know that I wasn't alone and he went over the math with them. They finally worked it out so we were even, but six months of constant phone harassment and threats and the stress had worn me down. It wasn't my only battle at the time!

They can all fight over their profit margin, but damn it, stop dragging us into it and acting as if we have choices! lol We can always cancel if our contract is close to being over or have our credit messed with. We can switch, but there is often a penalty. If we do cancel, which I have thought of many times, it means dealing with a phone company to get online service and all that bs... which is why many of us switched to cable.

I download a lot, I need fast online service. My son in law keeps insisting I switch to ATT and they ripped me off years ago. We have history. I could cancel the cable, but then my son would be a constant problem to me and lots of work explaining why it isn't there and he can't watch and dealing with putting in movies for him. I can't go there again!

No, these people have us by the balls, even if we don't have balls...

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RE: Fox withholds programming in a contract dispute. - 10/16/2010 11:12:11 AM

DarkSteven

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Lockit, if your company ever has a dispute and drops some of the programs, call up customer service and ask what the hell you pay your bills for if they cannot give you the programming you signed up for. They'll give you a credit.

_____________________________

"You women....

The small-breasted ones want larger breasts. The large-breasted ones want smaller ones. The straight-haired ones curl their hair, and the curly-haired ones straighten theirs...

Quit fretting. We men love you."

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RE: Fox withholds programming in a contract dispute. - 10/16/2010 2:14:39 PM

thornhappy

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I've seen about 4 disputes like that since I moved here (about 10 years ago). Most were broadcast TV.

Fox and the cable/dish companies are playing chicken now, since the playoffs are coming up.

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RE: Fox withholds programming in a contract dispute. - 10/16/2010 3:10:27 PM

submaleinzona

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I did without cable for many years, and I didn't really miss it that much. The main reason I have it now is because when I got my cable internet, they offered a package deal with the cable TV as well.

But they have hundreds of channels, most of which I don't watch. If they want to keep costs down, why don't they just reduce the number of channels? Better still, just let us pick the channels we want, so we only have to pay for 10 or 20 channels.

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RE: Fox withholds programming in a contract dispute. - 10/16/2010 9:09:16 PM

DarkSteven

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quote:

ORIGINAL: submaleinzona

But they have hundreds of channels, most of which I don't watch. If they want to keep costs down, why don't they just reduce the number of channels? Better still, just let us pick the channels we want, so we only have to pay for 10 or 20 channels.

SMIZ, that option is known as "a la carte", and it was a huge issue with the past head of the FCC, Michael Powell, and the cable companies. He wanted it and they didn't.

I don't know what the situation is like for cable, but sat companies have specific satellites dedicated to certain channel packages. For example, on Dish Network, sats 110 and 119 carry the basic programming common to all subscriptions. Sat 118.7 carries international programming, sat 129 carries high def channels, etc. The antennas and LNBs are determined by which packages are selected. Mixing and matching just isn't possible.

_____________________________

"You women....

The small-breasted ones want larger breasts. The large-breasted ones want smaller ones. The straight-haired ones curl their hair, and the curly-haired ones straighten theirs...

Quit fretting. We men love you."

(in reply to submaleinzona)

Post #: 9

RE: Fox withholds programming in a contract dispute. - 10/16/2010 9:12:10 PM

thornhappy

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Do you know where and how the local channels work?

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RE: Fox withholds programming in a contract dispute. - 10/16/2010 9:15:47 PM

DarkSteven

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quote:

ORIGINAL: thornhappy

Do you know where and how the local channels work?

Nope. But since they're common to all subscribers, I suspect they're on 100 or 119.

_____________________________

"You women....

The small-breasted ones want larger breasts. The large-breasted ones want smaller ones. The straight-haired ones curl their hair, and the curly-haired ones straighten theirs...

Quit fretting. We men love you."

(in reply to thornhappy)

Post #: 11

RE: Fox withholds programming in a contract dispute. - 10/16/2010 9:19:41 PM

Hippiekinkster

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quote:

ORIGINAL: DarkSteven

I think that we might be getting close to the tipping point where consumers 'cut the cord" and cancel their subscriptions and get content off the Web. That's the MSOs' nightmare.

I have already done so. There is a lot of free content on the web, and I have Netflix, with which I can stream movies and documentaries instantly. Netflix is also about 1/3 the cost of Comcast (I can't get satellite; too many tall trees on my property).

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Post #: 12

RE: Fox withholds programming in a contract dispute. - 10/16/2010 9:38:18 PM

Musicmystery

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When my husky was a puppy (and hell on wheels), she destroyed the TV.

I found I didn't miss it, and never got around to replacing it.

Everything is on the web anyway.

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Post #: 13

RE: Fox withholds programming in a contract dispute. - 10/17/2010 9:27:49 PM

sexyred1

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quote:

ORIGINAL: LilMichele

All I know is I cannot watch Sons of Anarchy on FX now and it's REALLY got my friggin' Irish up! Where am I supposed to watch bad ass bikers that look that good now?

Is FX part of this???? Ok, NOW I am pissed even more. I love that show.

(in reply to LilMichele)

Post #: 14

RE: Fox withholds programming in a contract dispute. - 10/18/2010 8:59:36 AM

pahunkboy

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From: Central Pennsylvania
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Didnt they say there was deflation. That being the case- cable should decrease.

I dont have it- so I dont care.

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Post #: 15

RE: Fox withholds programming in a contract dispute. - 10/18/2010 9:36:21 AM

LilMichele

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Yes! FX is part of Fox! I'm still not over it and it's been weeks...
I miss Sam Crow :(

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Post #: 16

RE: Fox withholds programming in a contract dispute. - 10/18/2010 9:40:23 AM

sexyred1

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That is weird. I don't have Fox or 9 now with my cablevision as of this weekend, but I do have FX. I don't think it is the same owner because I am getting Sons of Anarchy.

Maybe it is different in different states? I love that show, they are going to Belfast this week to get Abel.

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Post #: 17

RE: Fox withholds programming in a contract dispute. - 10/18/2010 3:37:14 PM

LilMichele

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Oh my GAWD!
Will sub for SoA.....

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RE: Fox withholds programming in a contract dispute. - 10/18/2010 3:37:51 PM

sexyred1

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LOL. Wow, you ARE dedicated!

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Post #: 19

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